Run the Right Race – Ignore the Hecklers

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013Allen Frederick 3 Comments

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (GW)
Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.

Wrong Way (Photo credit: Jack Zalium)

During the 1990’s in an NCAA Division II national championship cross-country race in California, a bizarre twist of events took place. Mike Delcavo and 127 of the best runners in the country were battling for glory over the 10,000 meter course. About three miles into the race, Delvaco was somewhere in the middle of the pack, when he realized that the runners had made a wrong turn. So he yelled out, “You’re going the wrong way,” but they didn’t listen. Only 4 others followed Mike when he turned in the right direction…and suddenly, he found himself in the lead.

However that lasted only about a mile, since Mike and the runners who followed him soon reunited with the larger pack who, having gone the wrong way, actually shaved about a half a mile off the course, and were now in the lead again. The last blow came when, because so many of the runners had gone the wrong way, the officials changed the official course route to accommodate their error. So when Mike Delcavo finally crossed the finish line, he was number 103 overall.

At the end of the race, some of Delcavo’s competitors “thought it was funny that he went the right way.”

You see many will mock you when you ‘play by the rules’ but play by the rules anyway because that is a true test of character. When everyone around you seems to be going in an entirely different way it is very hard to swim against the tide of public opinion. Standing your ground and acting on what you believe in takes a strength of character I am afraid few have. Even those who officiate and referee the laws have a tendency to bend their own judgments to accommodate the majority even when they know the majority is wrong.

You have heard it many times from your children or from your friends and family, well everyone else is doing it. Just because many are (I am convinced that there are still those who refuse to follow the wrong paths) does not make it the right way to go or the right thing to do.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death. Proverbs 14:12 (GW)

Not to belabor a point but it is worth mentioning again. The firestorm that erupted over the comments Phil Robertson made in GQ when ask for his opinion on what he thought sin was offers an excellent object lesson on staying on the right course even when met with a huge crowd going in the wrong direction. To simplify what Phil Robertson was trying to say so that even the unlearned mind can comprehend the concept. Sin is knowing you are running the race in the wrong direction but refusing to turn around and go the right way. Just because you are followed by a large crowd does not make your wrong way the right way.

In our mixed-up world, when everybody is wrong, wrong by default becomes right. However, in the world to come there is only one Judge and He will not change the correct course regardless of how many or how few actually run it. His rewards will be based on our having stayed the true course.

It’s easy to follow the crowd. But it takes courage and conviction to follow wholeheartedly after God. Sometimes it can get lonely running your race, wondering where the crowd is going, and even whether you, yourself are on the right road. Remember these words when you find yourself among the minority and taking the road less travelled.

Matthew 7:13-14 (BBE)
Go in by the narrow door; for wide is the door and open is the way which goes to destruction, and great numbers go in by it. For narrow is the door and hard the road to life, and only a small number make discovery of it.

So as you plot your course for 2014, take a look at where you have been, take stock of which direction you have headed and if you find yourself running from God and not to Him, make a course correction and start running in the Right direction.

This is a view from the nest. What say you?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}

Along for the journey

This has been A View from the Nest. The statements, comments, or opinions expressed are solely that of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of the host of this site or any affiliates thereof. Any questions or comments should be directed to myself and not to the host or hosts of this site.

60 Minutes

October 10, 2009Allen Frederick Leave a comment

A View from the Nest

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky

By Allen Scott

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. _{2 Tim 4:7 (GW)}

60 Minutes is an American investigative television newsmagazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by long time producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation. It has been among the top-rated TV programs for much of its life, and has garnered numerous awards over the years. It is considered by many to be the preeminent investigative television program in the United States. The autumn of 2008 saw the program’s 40th anniversary, and it currently holds the record for the longest continuously running program of any genre scheduled during American network prime time; it has aired at 7 p.m. Eastern Time Sundays since December 7, 1975 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes

Although 60 Minutes has the reputation of being the longest running news program, on Sunday evening Oct 4th, 60 Minutes was not the only 60 minutes in prime time. The evening featured not one but two 60 minute programs when the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the San Diego Chargers in what proved to be a 60 minute nail biter finish.

If you tuned into the first half of the Steelers Chargers match-up you would have left with the feeling that it was going to be a run away win by the Steelers. However after the first 45 minutes the whole atmosphere of the game changed and the remaining 15 minutes proved to be an intense back and forth fight to the finish.

You do not have to be an investigative reporter to understand that anything can happen on any given Sunday Night in the NFL. And Sunday night Oct 4th proved this truism once again.

Although the Steelers where leading 28-0 through three quarters of play San Diego came to life in the fourth quarter and quickly closed the gap on the Steelers lead. Big Ben and his offensive line could not ride out the clock on this match, they would have to play the whole 60 minutes.

The signature ticking time piece made famous by the 60 minutes news program constantly reminded the audience of how much time remained until the end of the program. An avid 60 minutes fan knows the program is not over until Andy Rooney gives his commentary. And a football fan also knows that the game does not end at the third quarter but when the final seconds tick off the scoreboard.

Casual football watchers may have grown bored with the first half of the Steelers Chargers match-up because it was all one-sided. The Steelers appeared to be running away with the game. The Chargers where unable to stop the Steelers offense.

The game was winding down with three quarters of the game past and the Steelers where holding to a commanding lead. But once the fourth quarter started things began to change. The Chargers quickly racked up touchdown after touchdown, even fielding an on-side kick to add points to the score. The gap was quickly closing as the official time piece was ticking off the final 15:00 minutes of play. The final score was determined within the last 2 minutes of the game’s end, proving once again that a football team has to play a full 60 minutes every Sunday. They can not play half a game or even three quarters of a game. They must play all four quarters.

Many of us schedule our lives by the hour. We set aside hourly blocks for different activities. Usually we set aside at least 60 minutes each Sunday for worship in our respected churches. We schedule lunch hours and business meetings. Much of our lives are ordered around the clock. Each 60 minute segment maps our course and if recorded will show our path and where we have been.

Each Sunday evening, for the last 40 plus years, the news team at 60 Minutes aired their program. And for the last 90 plus years each Sunday evening, the NFL has played 60 minutes of football. Of course it takes almost 3 hours to play those 60 minutes but officially the game only lasts 60 minutes on the official time clock.

Any sports team can attest that the outcome of a game is not determined at the beginning but rather at the end. It is after the last seconds tick off the clock that the final outcome is known. Until the last second there is still

(an opportunity) a chance to change the course of a game. Had the San Diego Chargers decided that after three quarters the game was over they would not have “almost” won the game. Had Pittsburgh decided they only wanted to play for 45 minutes they would have lost the game. The possibility of a Steelers loss loomed large at the start of the last 15 minutes of the game. However, in the end, the Steelers were victorious and the Chargers left town with a lose.

No matter what has happened during your last 60 minutes of life you can still change the outcome. If you are reading this article then the official time clock of your life has not reached the final second. You are still involved in the game of life, and you can still effect the outcome of your life. If things have been going badly for you do not despair, the game is not over. Even if you have been loosing for 3 quarters of your life, there is still the final quarter to play. Never give up, never quit, never lose hope, but keep the faith and fight on, you can still effect the outcome and change the course of your life.

The Chargers charged back during the final 15 minutes of the Sunday night football game and almost came out a winner. Alas it was not to be, but I loved the fact that they never gave up.

Paul wrote to Timothy declaring that he too had fought a hard fight and had kept the faith. He completed the race. He never gave up. There were parts of Paul’s life that were not very victorious, but in the end he could say that he played the whole game. He never quit. He kept at it.

The only losers in life are those who quit living, who quit trying, who give up before the last tick of the time clock. As long as there is breath within you, keep fighting the good fight. Things can change in 60 minutes.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}

Along for the journey

Crowning Glory

July 3, 2009July 3, 2009Allen Frederick 2 Comments

A View from the Nest

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky

Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. _{1 Cor 9:24-25 (GW)}

The glory of the athlete is a winning trophy and

the glory of the Christian is an old rugged cross.

: Image via Wikipedia

Once again Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has brought home a championship. The Pittsburgh Penguins now possess the Stanley Cup after defeating the Detroit Redwings

in the best of seven championship hockey finals. With the Steelers‘ Super bowl win this past season, and the Penguins win this season, Western Pennsylvania is now home to two championship trophies. Now if we could only get the Pirates on the winning side.

The Penguins came home to the sound of an appreciative crowd lining the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniawith the thrill of the victory fresh on their minds while Detroit went home in defeat. Both teams fought valiantly but only one could come out the victor. This year it was the Penguins who came out on top. Relish the victory while you can boys because next year you have to repeat or give the cup to someone else. Each year’s victory is only a fleeting moment in time.

We Christians on the other hand have a CROWN of LIFE for life if we overcome our adversaries. There is a war going on. There is a race to be won. There is a battle to be waged. There is a contest for the ultimate prize. We must therefore guard ourselves and train ourselves to be able to overcome the obstacles on our path towards the goal.

A hockey player, or any sports athlete knows they must train and be in top condition in order to compete at their finest. They can not allow destructive behaviors and detractions interfere with their training and conditioning. Most serious athletes eat, drink and sleep their sport. They study all the greats and learn all the basic requirements to winning. They do not look for shortcuts but work hard to achieve peak conditioning.

Today, with the introduction of strength enhancing drugs, some athletes are tempted to cheat on their training regimes. In sport, where performance matters, some lesser athletes may be tempted to choose cheating over hard work and talent.

We however must hold to a much higher training regimen than even the most devoted athlete. Our training is a matter of life and death. It is not just a fleeting crown we are seeking but a lasting one. Therefore we must run the race honestly and wholeheartedly. We must be sure to abide by the rules of engagement and strive to run the race with integrity so that when we finally reach our destination we can hear the words come on in _{(Mat 25:34)} and not depart from me._{(Mat 25:41)}

I fear sometimes that we take our responsibility to live the life Christ modeled for us too lightly. I feel that many have left off of their training regimens and replaced it with a quick easy workout. While reading the “Daily Bread” and praying over our meals are all good practices it must not take the place of sincere, rigorous training. We must exercise ourselves toward godliness and not look for a short cut. We must pick up the weight of our cross and carry it faithfully and daily. We need to exercise our spiritual bodies, perhaps more so than our physical bodies, because the stakes are much higher if we fail.

For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. _{1 Tim 4:8 (AMP)}

The Stanley Cup, although impressive, will one day end up in a landfill. It’s shiny surface will tarnish and fade. The applause of the roaring crowds will die away. The adoration of the frenzied fans will disappear, and all that will remain are the memories of that winning season. Come next season you start off a losing team and have to do it all over again. You received your reward when you won the cup. Now you have to earn it all over again.

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. _{2 Tim 4:7-8 (GW)}

How much greater is it to receive a reward that will never fade, can not be tarnished, will never grow dim, and it’s beauty will continue for all eternity? How much greater is a crown that can never be forfeited nor be taken away? Therefore do not cut corners on your training but instead fight the good fight of faith. You can then be sure, when all is said and done, that you will have waiting for you the crown of righteousness which is given to anyone who eagerly awaits the Lord’s coming again.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}

Along for the journey

Penguins’ Stanley Cup Parade Draws Throngs of Fans (nytimes.com)
Penguins fans pack Pittsburgh for parade (nationalpost.com)
Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh: Everyone loves a parade (windsorstar.com)
Congratulations to the Penguins! (ethelthefrog.com)

Where’s Your Baton: by Scott Elliott

September 1, 2008Allen Frederick Leave a comment

I have been on vacation for a week and left the computer on standby. I needed some time to recharge my batteries by resting and relaxing at the beach. Having done all that I now return to the regular scheduled to do lists and regular blog posting. I found this article by Scott Elliott at Faithwriters.com a site a post to regularly. I find inspiration along my cyber journey and I like to share blessings as I find them. This one by Scott is a real gem. I pray it ministers to you as much as it did to me.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,
and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…”
(Hebrews 12:1, NRSV)

Have you ever watched a race involving a relay team? I am intrigued how everyone on the team, when they receive the baton, drops everything and takes off running.

Sports were of immense social and cultural significance in antiquity. They even played an important role in many religious festivals. The earliest Olympic Games included four types of races, each of varying lengths and difficulty. The stadion was the oldest of the races. In this race, runners were required to sprint the length of the stadium (192 meters). Another race required competitors to run the length of two stadiums, and the long distance race could range from seven to twenty-four stadiums.

Versions of these races still exist in the modern Games. But the Greeks also had a race unlike anything in the modern Olympics: a race that was two to four stadiums in length in which the athletes ran in full armor. A standard set of armor weighed nearly sixty pounds. Can you imagine running nearly half-a-mile as fast as you can with sixty pounds of forged metal hanging off your body? Clearly, this particular race was about strength and endurance. The writer of Hebrews is aware that, in similar fashion, many things can weigh us down and prevent us from keeping the pace necessary to finish our Christian race victoriously.

In Hebrews 11:29-12:2, the writer has just finished recounting an honor roll of men and women who, motivated by faith, acted boldly and accomplished great things for God. They persevered despite the hindrances they encountered while running, and the writer of Hebrews offers us their track record as encouragement to persevere. “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…let us run…”

In the ancient Games, just as now, it was considered a great honor to represent one’s country and people in competition. The challenge far outweighed the strength and endurance that was required. And, the prize symbolized more than the olive wreath that was awarded. Think about whom it is that we represent when we run the race of Christian perseverance. Think about the prize that we strive for. We do not run for ourselves. And more importantly, we do not run in our own strength.

The Scriptures say we run fueled and powered by Jesus, who “is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2a, NRSV). And, as we run, all those who have gone before us, including Jesus himself, our champion, cheer us onward.

Are you in the Christian race? Then, drop everything. Grab the baton, let the chorus of adulation ring in your ears, focus on Jesus and run.

This Reflection is drawn from the [http://www.bibles.com/brcpages/resources-eBulletin ]Bible Resource Center’s e-Bulletin Series – an online ministry of the [http://www.bibles.com ]American Bible Society.

For more Bible Study Resources visit: http://www.bibles.com/bibleresources

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_S._Elliott http://EzineArticles.com/?Wheres-Your-Baton?&id=790963