Happy New Year! 123109

This evening at 6pm I'll be joining a bunch of folks to walk in the 25th Anniversary Resolution 5k. It's a great way to start off the new year by being active. What I have learned over the years is that it all comes down to two things (thank you Brad Joern):
(1) Increase physical activity; and (2) Decrease caloric intake. No matter how you slice it (or don't slice it) that's what it's all about. So, beginning tomorrow, January 1 this blog will feature ways to do just that: (1) increase physical activity; and (2) decrease caloric intake.
I know for certain that when you "fuel differently" you "feel differently."
Cheers!
rtg

I Came in First! Happy Kwanzaa!

This is how it goes some times. Several weeks ago I signed up for the Kwanzaa 5K walk
to be held on December 26th. This morning when I got up for the walk it was snowing and rather cold. There was a very small crowd for the 5k run and an even smaller group of folks for the walk. At the starting line I counted 9 walkers. I knew right then that I'd finish in the TOP TEN! Lo and behold to my surprise, I seemed also to be the only male in my age category. Below you can find the pertinent info.
I share this with you because some times, that's just how it goes. You're the only one. So of course, you can come in first and last in your age group!
On New Year's Eve Sue Ann and I will do the 25th Anniversary Resolution 5k.
Name: RON GLUSENKAMP
NO.:1308
Age: 55
Sex: M
Time: 00:52:25
Pace: 16:53
Overall Place/Total: 4 /4
Division Place/Division Total: 1 /1
Sex Place/ Sex Total:1 1 /
Sincerely,

Timing Consortium

what happens when John the Baptist and St. Nick show up at church

to listen to the sermon go to
http://bit.ly/5sDj4X

‘Advent Dreams’
Pr Ron Glusenkamp and Pr Ruth Ann Loughry
December 6, 2009


In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

We hear in these words a vision, a dream of cosmic and galactic proportions. A reversal of fortunes so great and grand that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Speaking of dreams and visions we stand together on this second Sunday of Advent and I need to tell you that the other night I had a dream, an Advent dream of sorts. All sorts of things were stirred up (dream music on guitars) It was as if one of Pastor Ron’s Advent Eggbeaters stirred up my psyche. It was Sunday morning, the Advent wreath was lit and all of a sudden I dreamed that Scott Nixon and Dave Craven were playing music. (perhaps a little more dream sequence music).

And the music they were playing was of course, that favorite Advent Song by Bob Marley entitled, “Stir it up.” (and here the boys play a little bit of that) And if things weren’t enough already stirred up in this dream, John the Baptist showed up. Well, actually it was Zach Rodasti the youth choir director as John the Baptist. And instead of having a director’s baton in his hand, he had an axe and he was yelling.

(zach shouts)
"You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham or /Luther as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham/Martin Luther 9Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And if that wasn’t stirred up enough John the Baptist put down his axe and picked up a pitch fork and said, (ZACH SHOUTS)

"I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

John the Baptist was truly trying to stir up and shake up and wake up the people to announce the coming of God. (More Bob Marley music) Well I got shook up, but I kept right on dreaming. Then, I suppose it was because I had eaten just more than a little bit of my fair share of chocolate before I went to bed and had hung some stockings by the fireplace—St. Nick walked in on this Advent Dream. And not just any St. Nick, but Pastor Ron dressed up as St. Nicholas, from the 4th century.

Hey Pastor Ron! Since you are St. Nick, can I call you Santa Claus?

Well no, Pastor Ruth Ann, because I’m not Santa Claus. You aren’t? No, I’m not. Hmm. I know that things aren’t necessarily real in dreams, but if you aren’t Santa Claus, who are you?

My name is Nicholas and I was born to wealthy parents in a village, which is now near the southern coast of Turkey. My folks raised me as a devout Christian and then they died when I was still young.

Sounds like they were faith formers!

Yes, they instilled in me a commitment to serving the poor and serving God. So much so, that I was made a Bishop of the church when a young man. I liked to give away money to people who needed it – but I truly enjoyed doing it anonymously, so that no one would know. I protected children and sailors, merchants and pawnbrokers: all those on the outskirts of polite society. People thought I was special, but I was only following Jesus’ example.

St. Nick, I think you enjoyed, ‘stirrin’ it up’ just a bit! (more music) Though it was still three weeks to Christmas and all through my house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, I began to remember while nestled in bed, the truth of St. Nick as it came into my head. St. Nick died on this day, Dec 6, in the year 343ad in Myra. He truly became the patron saint of many peoples in many nations. One of the stories that got St. Nicholas the Bishop of Myra connected to Santa Claus, is that he dropped a bag of gold down a chimney and it fell into a stocking, which had been hung there to dry. Throughout the years stories about his generosity and benevolence have been an inspiration to Christians during this holy season.

As I said, it was this Advent Dream that “stirred up” all sorts of things inside of me.
Here we have two different characters, one a hermit the other a bishop. One, John the Baptist, who like the words recorded in Malachi, would be a messenger, For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

The other, St. Nick, instead of handing out fire and brimstone, placed coins in the shoes of children or gave away sweet, little bags of chocolate. Like St. Paul he exemplified an evangelical approach to life and love, And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. IN OTHER WORDS, ( boyz play- Let it be, let it be)

So gentlemen, it could only be in a dream that I might be able to speak to each of you at once. I’m wondering, what would you tell people in Denver, Colorado in the year 2009, about waiting and watching for Jesus this Advent?

(JtB shouting again) My job was to help announce God’s coming reign on earth in the person of Jesus Christ. As you wait through Advent, be bold in telling your friends and neighbors that Christ is coming! Invite them to church! Tell them the Good News! The time is near…get ready.. (swinging snake and shaking pitch fork)

(St. Nick just as adamant) You know these great bargains in stores for Christmas? Buy one coat and when you get the second free, give it away! Give it away! May your actions show that Christ is coming! Love freely! Show people how to follow Christ by acting on your beliefs! Make it real! Stir it up!

As I awoke the next morn (move back to pulpit) it became clear that I’d been given a gift. Two men, living several hundred years apart, both had a message to share with the world about Jesus Christ. My Advent dream helped me see what these two men had in common.

• Both, prepared ways for God to enter into the lives of people.
• Both, paid the price for being faithful to their vision and understanding of Jesus.
• Both spent time in jail for following Jesus.
• John the Baptism ultimately lost his head because he was relentless in calling Herod into accountability. And St. Nick was relentless in showing mercy and being responsible to those who were in dire straights.

The bottom line of this Advent Dream is to embrace God’s dream and vision of a time when
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

JTB and St. Nick exit, and the boys, play a riff or two of Stirrin up – both men dance out

Amen

Happy Thanksgiving

The Turkey Trot is now complete. You can read about it at http://bit.ly/3nhcTz
You'll see in the photo, Sue Ann, me, Brenda, Caroline and Noah all G2G(good to go!).
I had a personal best today getting caught up in the crowd enthusiasm. I walked the four miles in 57.30 which calculates to a 14.3o pace per mile. YEA! Saw lots of friends along the way. God's richest blessings to you and yours on this wonder-filled day.

Jesus said,"25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Home for the Holidays 5K

I had an early start to me day cuz I took Nate to the airport for an 8:10am flight back to DC. The great part is, he'll be Home for the Holidays. Did a 5k Home for the Holidays walk. It's the First Annual one being sponsored by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, http://www.coloradocoalition.org/. It was at Central Park in the Stapleton neighborhood. For an inaugural event it was well run (no pun intended) staffed by lots of volunteers and lots of cool stuff at the finish line. The race announcer said the event was raising $25,000. I believe I finished in about 44 minutes and 44 seconds. So, for a 5k, I was pleased. After the race, I picked up a few more supplies for our church's Thanksgiving Basket project for refugees sponsored by Lutheran Family Services of Colorado. Check out www.bethany-denver.org to learn more.
Next event, Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.

Littleton Stride

Nate and I did the 5k Littleton Stride today. We had a quick pace (at least quick for me) and believe we did it in less than 45 minutes. I was totally impressed by the community feel of the race/walk. Lots of support folks and great treats at the end of the race. Prior to the race I met some "characters" courtesy of the Melting Pot.

" I lift up my eyes"

There is something wonderful that one feels after one has successfully completed a goal. The picture in this post is one which was taken immediately after I walked the half marathon in Phoenix last January (and after Sue Ann successfully ran the half marathon). As you can see we look happy and joyful. My walk and Sue Ann's run were not without struggles or issues, but we were participating with friends who gave us encouragement and positive reinforcement. We had also trained for the event.
The words of Psalm 121 are great words keep keep on the hard drive of one's soul:

I lift up my eyes to the hills —
from where will my help come?
2My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.

Scream Scram

Friday Night was a Scream. Captain Natebeard and I (aka PumpkinMan) joined hundreds of others in Wash Park for jocular jogging, rambunctious running and whimsical walking.
It was great to be out with lots of folks who enjoy having fun and increasing physical activity.

WW update. I weighed in yesterday at Weight Watchers after counting points all week long. It was a very successful week, I lots 6.6 pounds.

goals

I've decided to walk next year's Denver Marathon. So, I'm inviting folks to consider joining me in walking or (running it). I also will be doing some short walks this fall. As you can see they are either on a Friday or Saturday (more about that at another time). Anyway, if you want a walking companion, let me know.
What I learned several years ago about goals is that they need to be SMART, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Trackable (okay, don't know if that last one is a real word or not, but you know what I mean).

Lots of GOOD STUFF & Back To Weight Watchers

Two weeks ago tomorrow, I walked 26.2 miles in the Maine Marathon. I had some really positive experiences along the way. I also realized that I need to work on some things. First of all, the things I need to work on. (1) I need to drop some pounds; (2)I need to get a new hat (I've been wearing my white canvas Augsburg cap-in honor of my daughter Hannah's alma mater); (3) I need to learn some more about ChiWalking@; (4)I've been under the impression(i.e delusion) that walking around Wash Park is three miles(in reality I think it is something less) http://www.washpark.com/info/washpark-map/ and http://thoos.com/guides/washington-park-perimeter (IT's MORE LIKE 2.6 miles and (5)I need to work on recovery.
Now for the positive experiences.
(1) I had a great time; (2)My serendipity decision to walk as PumpkinMan was made less than 24 hours before the race (Aaron and John both bet me $20 that I wouldn't wear the costume. I told them that as a Lutheran pastor I've done more for a lot LESS); Folks along the route gave me lots of "social energy." In addition, because I was in "costume" I was able to really work on being an encourager. Somehow, someway because I was a giant pumpkin, I was more approachable. (3) I made good use of my ipod, had plenty of hydration and nutrition. (4) I kept my arms moving and at a 90 degree angle to my body; (5) I laughed a lot and had a great deal of fun; (6) I was able to help a runner who fell and needed some quick assistance; (7)My verse of Phil.4:13 kept me going, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me," ; (8)I had great socks on (thanks Sue Ann) and last but not least, (9) I was able to twitter and text to supportive friends and family along the way.

On Thursday, October 14 I made the long trek back to Weight Watchers. I hadn't been at a meeting since some time in March. So, while the marathon was a long walk, the walk back to WW was perhaps even longer. Since Thursday, I've been very conscious about my intake and consequently my physical activity. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.

The Adventures of Pumpkin Man

The photo on the left is of Pastor Ron (aka the "Pumpkin Man" getting set to cross the finish line at the Maine Marathon in 7 hours 36 minutes and 38 seconds. It was a great day! Thank you for your prayer, kind thoughts and best wishes.
I will be writing tomorrow about the things I learned during the marathon. Some were things that I did very well. Some are some opportunities for me to change. And last but not least, I've also got some actions steps to take in the future.
However, I'm not going to "squash" any enthusiasm or celebrations.
Sue Ann and I got back to Denver around noon today. We had an early flight from Portland after spending Sunday night and all day Monday and Tuesday at Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. On Tuesday we cycled 17 miles with some Joanie and Aaron.

Mission Accomplished

Hi, I'll be posting more information on Thursday, but Sunday's walk was great!
Here's my official time

958   256 Ronald Glusenkamp DENVER CO 
  7:36:41   17:26  7:36:38

saturday night

Hi, everyone. thanks for the prayers and encouragement. It's been raining since we got here. The forecast for tomorrow is rain, but I'm hoping my wife's sunny disposition will make the clouds go away. We're here with Sheri, Joannie, Aaron and John (all from Denver) and Mark who came from Quebec City to join us. John is running the whole marathon. Sheri & Joannie and Mark are doing the half. Sue Ann is walking the half with her boot on. Aaron is in charge of logistics. Today we went to Freeport, to LL BEAN! We participated in a Chowderfest (and I've had the legal limit of chowder- seafood, alternative and corn). We carbo loaded tonight at the spaghetti dinner put on by the Rotary Club. The race officially starts at 7:45am, but walkers, (slow ones) can have an early start at 6:ooam. So, I've got the coffee pot loaded up, oatmeal ready to go and I'm getting set to hit the hay. I'll do my best to keep you all posted on www.twitter.com/rtgcycler tomorrow throughout the walk.

(one of my favorite passages is, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." phil 4:13
Peace,
RTG


13 I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Copyright © 1996, 1998 by Biblica
King James Version (KJV)
Listen to this passageView commentary related to this passage
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
The Message (MSG)
View commentary related to this passage
Content Whatever the Circumstances 10-14I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Hoffnung für Alle (HOF)
13 [a]Alles kann ich durch Christus, der mir Kraft und Stärke gibt.
Footnotes:
Philipper 4:13 Eph 3:16
Hoffnung für Alle (HOF)
by Biblica
Reina-Valera 1995 (RVR1995)
13 Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.

"Fired up, Ready to Go!"

Good evening friends! Well, I spent my day off today getting a massage, going to physical therapy, sending lots of emails and doing a light set of weight-lifting. To quote President Obama, "I'm Fired up, Ready to Go!" Sue Ann and I leave early on Friday morning for a roundabout trip to Portland, Maine. We go from Denver to Atlanta, to Portland. All of this makes complete sense to me. I've got some butterflies in my stomach, but I think that's fairly natural. I plan on just listening to tune, praying, enjoying the sights and focusing on my "core." If I get access in Maine, I'll update the posts. If you want to track me on twitter, check out www.twitter.com/rtgcycler
I get an early start as a walker, so I'll be walking early Sunday am. I'd appreciate your prayers and kind thoughts.
Peace,
RTG

cartoon

I'm getting set to go out and do a little cross-training today on the bike.
Hope you are having a great day!

The Gift of the Blue Schwinn Collegiate

You'll see in this post a picture of Steve Roenfeldt and Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt. They are standing behind a recycled, restored Blue Schwinn Collegiate which is a gift to me from them. Kirsten has spent the past two years working/serving at Bethany Lutheran Church (www.bethany-denver.org) in what we initially called a "discernmentship." The improvised word was to describe a cross between internship and discernment. She will officially start her real internship at Evergreen Lutheran Church in Evergreen, CO on November 1, 2009. For the past two years or so it was my pleasure and privilege to be a "supervisor" or mentor to Kirsten. Along with my colleague, Pastor Ruth Ann, we served together in lots of different situations. Kirsten took the lead in providing
some amazing energy around faith formation and adult learning opportunities.

As a "thank you" gift Kirsten blessed me with this recycled, restored Blue Schwinn Collegiate.
Steve did the work on bringing it back to life. Words cannot adequately express what joy I had when Kirsten gave the bike to me. It took me back to being a kid again in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I'll post in a few days of what the young RTG looked like back then. Anyway, it is one of the best gifts I've ever received. I'm very grateful for it.

You'll note on Steve's shirt the word "saint." If you turn the picture upside down the word
reads "sinner." My sense is that if you turn most of us upside down we too read "sinner." For as my friend Peter Mayer sings, we are "this bittersweet concoction of fear and grace."

So what's all this got to do with "revup?" I think it comes down to a couple of things: (1) I'm grateful for friendship (and especially this cool Blue Scwhinn Collegiate; and (2) I believe it's good to be a receiver. So, many thanks to Kirsten and Steve. And here's the bonus point: It's God's Work. Our Hands.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

It's been some time since I've written on this blog. So, welcome back to you and to me.
On Thursday, September 3, I walked 18 miles.
I'm on track to walk the marathon in Portland, Maine on October 4th. Sue Ann and the other hand recently experienced a setback to her training. She has a hairline fracture in her left foot. Consequently, she has been wearing a "boot." Too bad Vera Bradley or some one like that has designed an attractive and fashionable covering for the boot. So, she's totally bummed by the situation, but will be joining us to be our cheerleader from the sidelines.
Her experience does remind all of us how fragile life is and can be at times.

My walking on Thursday was difficult. I need to be more diligent in stretching. So, if you happen to see me in person or want to drop me a note to remind me of that need and responsibility, I'll be open to your exhortation. I'm hoping and praying this weekend is a good one for you.
Blessings,
rtg

Pretzel Power

Hi, I've been out of the loop for a couple of weeks. I was in New Orleans for the ELCA Youth Gathering. Upon my return I got a major sinus infection. So, my training has been out of whack for a week or so. I did return to my schedule and was able to walk 15 miles on Thursday. I averaged 15 minute miles. So, it's all good. The pix of me here is a testimony to my love and hunger for pretzels. I along with my lovely wife will be at Camp Arcadia this coming week. I am leading a Bible study on Father Dom's fantastic book, BAKE AND BE BLESSED. Stay tuned.
rtg

Top Banana

This morning I accompanied (biked) Sue Ann while she ran 15 miles. Basically the routine was that I would ride a mile and then wait for her. During my time waiting, I prayed, read some Psalms, sent emails and made phone calls, while also writing tomorrow's sermon in my head.

On Thursday, I walked my 15 miles so today was a good day of cross training. I've included the "Top Banana" picture to remind you to eat plenty of fruits and veggies if you are beginning to "revup." A good way to think about changing some of the things you eat or don't eat is to remember, "If you fuel differently,
you'll feel differently.

Be sure to check out
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/
peace,
rtg

REVUP Walkers

Coming Soon, join the folks who want to REVUP! To Increase physical activity and Decrease
Caloric Intake. Just click on this link

http://groups.cafepress.com/projects/73869/shares/0600bb

Walk the Talk and Talk the Walk

On Friday Sue Ann and I celebrated our 33rd Wedding anniversary.
We both worked during the day but had a lovely dinner with some
friends on Friday night. Both of us are training for the marathon in Portland, Maine on October 4th. Sue Ann is going to run the marathon.
I plan on walking it. I must confess that we've had more advice and done more training on "doing" marathons than we did in terms of pre-marital counseling. Back the, I mean in 1976 it was a pretty straight forward process in terms of making wedding arrangements. Although, as I remember it I didn't have too many responsibilities besides actually showing up for the rehearsal and the wedding.

On Thursday my friend Paul and I walked twelve miles. As we walked we talked. As we talked we walked. There were some times of silence but most of the three hours were filled with conversations. As I've indicated it's good to have a friend when it comes to training. There are those times when silence and the solitude of the process are benefits. However, it's important to have people to share the journey.

The picture in this posting is of one of my favorites "treats" along the way, Clif Shot Bloks specifically the Lemon/Lime ones. These "bloks" are as the good folks at the Clif Bar Company state a way to "replace carbs and electrolytes during activity." If you haven't tried them before I suggest you might want to sample them. They are available at most sporting goods stores as well as runners/walkers shoe stores.

I think marriage is similar to a marathon. I'm grateful for Sue Ann's constant love throughout the journey. I am mindful of how our parents, siblings, friends and parishioners have "cheered" us on along the way.

Have a blessed day and meditate on the words of the Psalmist who wrote in Psalm 26

But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
¹²My foot stands on level ground;
in the great congregation I will bless the LORD.

"Would I Lie To You?"

Just finished walking around Wash Park. First of all, thank you for your comments and suggestions. This evening I did utilize my heart monitor. The result was a significant time decrease in my walk. So, thanks for that suggestion and reminder. I was able to get my heart rate to increase while listening to the tunes of The Eurythmics. Check them out at http://www.eurythmics.com One of their songs, "Would I Lie To You?" got my feet moving and my heart beating at the rate I wanted to achieve.

Here's a helpful suggestion for you. If you find after walking or running a particular distance that you have some blisters or chafing (and if you don't know what that is, you will when you experience it) then try to Body Glide. Basically, this is like a deodorant type of consistency but can be put on your feet prior to putting on your socks. It can also be applied at places where your clothes tend to rub.

I've often thought that maybe there is some kind of theological equivalent to Body Glide. It just might be the words in the Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." When that phrase is applied liberally on those parts of our lives where we tend to blister or have chafing life seems to go a little more smoothly. Try it and let me know what you think. I mean, the Body Glide and also the "forgiveness glide" as well.

Cross Training

Just got back from a 12 mile walk. Got it done in three hours. Bob P and I walked together for the first 6 miles and then I did the second half by myself. It's a great day in Denver to be out and about.

The image on the left is from Mount Nebo. The work in iron is by Gianni Fantoni. It is the likeness of the Serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert as a symbol of the Crucified and Risen Christ.

If you check out Numbers 21 you can read what was going on with Moses and the children of Israel. It was that part of the journey when everyone was asking the theological question, "Are we THERE yet?" So, here's how the story goes:

⁴From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. ⁵The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food." ⁶Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. ⁷The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. ⁸And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." ⁹So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Fast forward to the Gospel of John. In the first Episode of "Nic at Night" (Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the dark) we here these words from Jesus:

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
¹⁷Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Many people have heard those comforting words and take them to heart. As we have discussions in the church about Biblical interpretation I remind people that very few folks have Leviticus 3:16-17 memorized, whereas they do have John 3:16-17 memorized. And that's for good reason.
Here are the words from Leviticus 3:16–17 ¹⁶Then the priest shall turn these into smoke on the altar as a food offering by fire for a pleasing odor.
All fat is the LORD's. ¹⁷It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, in all your settlements: you must not eat any fat or any blood.

So, it's all about cross training whether you are thinking about God's love for the world or about
increasing physical activity and decreasing caloric intake. It's a good idea to leave the "fat"
at the altar.

Wait & Weight

I just read the abstract for the report by the TRUST for AMERICA'S Health (TFAH) and the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). It is entitled "F as in Fat 2009- How Obesity Policies are Failing in America." A link has been provided on this blog for you to check out how your state is doing. Kudos to the good folks in Minnesota! I encourage you to check out the report and then make some comments on this blog.

The picture on the left was taken in Phoenix at the Rock n Roll Half Marathon. Our good friends Sherrie and John ran the half along with Sue Ann.
I happened to walk the half with my friend Cynthia Tanner (who as this picture was taken was congratulating her husband Bob who ran the marathon). It seems to me that a key element or ingredient to increasing physical activity and decreasing caloric intake is to have a friend participate with you. For example, my friend Bob P just got back into town and emailed me to invite me to walk with him tomorrow morning at 7am. Now, I have to tell you that tomorrow at 6am when the alarm goes off, I will not be very interested in walking. But, since I have an appointment with Bob, I won't disappoint him. In other words, I'll show up. Whereas, if I was just counting on my own good intentions I just might let the opportunity slide off my calendar until the 3rd of July or maybe the fourth of July.

So, here's what I'm saying, the more you and I "wait" to increase physical activity, the more
chances that weight will increase and caloric intake will not decrease.

Step by Step

Some of you may be wondering about how to "rev up" your physical activity. One of the very best ways to do so is to wear a pedometer. The picture in this posting is of a typical pedometer.
You just clip it on to your belt or waistline and start walking. I received the pedometer in the picture from the good folks at the ELCA Board of Pensions. This one also has a "snap" line because you might want to know that pedometers don't float (once again TMI!). In other words
novice pedometer wearers often report that they dropped them by accident into the toilet.

Along side of this posting, I am listing three wonderful sources for more information about pedometers. One is from the Mayo Clinic, another from PBS and last but not least from an excellent organization called America On the Move (no connection to MOVEON.org).

If you want to "rev up" your physical activity check out the wonderful suggestions at all three of these sites. I have found that America On The Move has the really powerful combination of information and inspiration to "rev up."

You'll read that a good goal is to do about 10,000 steps per day. Most folks walk on average about 2,000-4,000 steps each day. And if you're wondering - about 2,000 steps equals 5,280 feet or 1 mile. So, for example this morning at church I walked 3, 746 steps (almost two miles).
This afternoon, I did my walk for three miles (another 6,000 steps) so, you see the steps all add up.

Now, you might be saying to yourself, "I can't possibly do 10,000 steps." And I say, "that's okay." Just "rev up" and start moving. Get a pedometer and wear it for a couple of days. Once you figure out your "average" amount of steps per day, then "rev up" and do 2,000 more steps.
You'll soon see that you are well on your way!

Step by Step,
rtg

Soles for Souls

Just got back from walking nine miles. It took me 128 minutes. So, that comes to about 14.2 minutes per mile. For years whenever I walked I was pretty consistent at walking a pace which was about 20 minutes per mile. However over the past 14 months I've been able to increase my pace by being intentional about walking quicker.

Now I don't claim to be an expert, but I do know that something which really helps one's feelings and attitudes about walking is shoes. Or as I want to point out today soles for souls.

I grew up wearing Black Chuck Taylor All-Stars. During the 1960's and 1970's this style of shoe was worn by the Boston Celtics. It did a soul good to have these on one's soles. Today I still wear "Chucks" but only for liturgical events. I have Blue ones for the season of Advent, Red for Pentecost, Black for basic officials and White for Easter and Christmas.

When I started getting more into walking I trained for and completed the Quebec City Marathon in August 2008 and the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Phoenix in January 2009.
However, after both events I had some significant blisters and also subsequently lost some toenails (I know TMI). So, Sue Ann suggested that I go to a shoe store that specializes in meeting the needs of runners and also walkers. I spoke with a staff person and told her about my experiences. She watched me walked and then measured my feet.

Now, I must tell you, for about the past 42 years of my life my shoe size has been a 13. But, to my surprise and shock I was informed that my appropriate shoe size is 15! Okay, now might be the time to check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot. That's me in the picture!

Not only had gravity had an effect on my waistline and BMI, but now I was also becoming
SASQUATCH, you know BIGFOOT! I was in denial. I kept saying to myself, "size 15, how can this be?" But, I swallowed my pride (and also a gallon or two a ice cream). Of course, the shoes had to be specially ordered. You maybe saw them being shipped on a semi-truck (one of those which are proceeded and followed by cars or trucks with blinking lights and (OVERSIZE signs)
on them. I got my new shoes and began wearing them. To my delight my feet felt "light." And when I did the Salt Lake City Marathon on April 18, 2009 there were no blisters or any other problems with my feet.

So the moral of the story is "get some good soles for souls."

Beginning - Again!

I am starting to "rev up" for another marathon. On October 4, 2009 it is my goal to walk the 26.2 miles of the Portland, Maine marathon. This will be my third marathon since my double knee replacement on April 7, 2008.

So, today I started getting serious about training since the event is about 15 weeks from now.

A passage that keeps me going is from Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

So, if you are looking for some motivation, inspiration or just a place to share "perspiration" then you are welcome to drop by from time to time.
Peace,
rtg