Negative splits is a running term. For those not “in the know” about such things, it basically describes what happens when someone runs the second half of a race faster than the first half. This means their time is better per mile/kilometer (or split).

What does that have to do with ministry?

The Apostle Paul gives his perspective on life and finishing well in Acts 20:24 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Jesus talks of the man who builds a house and the importance of counting the cost in order that he may finish. He warns that laying a foundation and then not finishing the house will result in ridicule (Luke 14:28-30). 

Finish Well

If you run the first part of the race flat-out, but then get injured, distracted or worn out, you won’t finish. That is why most trainers will teach you to pace yourself in the first few miles. Then, once you have settled into a good pace and you aren’t running on the adrenaline of the start, you can run well. Doing this will set you up for a good race and good finish.

How does this apply today?

• Young people want to do something NOW. Take the time to train and prepare for the work God has put in your hear to do.
• People in their middle years (which is me!) need to see the importance of EVERYTHING and work wisely. Don’t waste time on unimportant things.
• Those more senior than me (those in their 60’s and higher fit this description) should never “retire” from ministry. Finish Well!

Looking back in a race will usually just trip you up. Keep your eye on the prize! Press on and do the work of Jesus!

I recently read a Huffington Post article about how we are “cramming religion down children’s throats.” 

There are many issues with such a statement and thought. We must teach our children something. No one grows up in a vacuum. If parents are not to decide what to teach their children, then who should? Government? Politicians! My neighbors? What makes you more qualified than me to teach and train my kids? The God you don’t believe in didn’t give them to you! We must teach something; while some children may grow up in immoral circumstances, no child grows up in amoral circumstances.

Why do we teach what we teach? Who determines what is right and wrong? What do you think?

The US Postal Service stands to have $8-10 billion in net losses this year. While they are not government funded, they do report to Congress. In effect, they are expected to break even, but cannot be run the “business” they way they see fit. This limits their ability to operate effectively.

Congress currently is opposed to delivery day changes, like removing Saturday or Tuesday delivery. However, they have no way to solve the cash flow problem experienced by this hybrid organization. If this was UPS, FedEx, or any other corporation, they could raise prices, cut costs, do both or get more creative.

The government changed the way the USPS operates in 1970, moving it from a government agency to a semi-private operation. Unfortunately, this makes a mess for anyone dependent on the Postal Service. The “revenue neutral” restriction means they cannot make a profit. Since they cannot make a profit, it is difficult for them to save money (like Apple has done) and take advantage of the benefits holding cash.

The government needs to either free the USPS to make its own decisions about delivery and financial management, or pull it back into the fold as a government agency. Dependable mail is still an important part of our culture. Maybe the USPS isn’t the best way; maybe it is. Either way, a corporate chimera isn’t working.

Sources

• How Does the Postal Service Pay Its Bills - http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2001/07/how_does_the_postal_service_pay_its_bills.html
• About the U.S. Postal Service - http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/uspsabout.htm
• Postal Service Cries Foul over Business Restrictions - http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/09/06/Postal-Service-Cries-Foul-over-Business-Restrictions.aspx#page1

The Pastor: A Memoir by Eugene H. Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every summer while on vacation, I find a book “by accident.” In 2011, this was the book. I had read other material by Peterson and liked it, but reading his memoirs makes his other works come more alive.
Some have complained that there is some repetition, but I think that is bound to happen when you write as much as he has.
I like his down to earth style and the “realness” of this book. As a pastor who needed encouragement, this book spoke to me. If you serve in leadership in a church, especially as a pastor, I believe this book will encourage you.

View all my reviews

In 12 hours I will run a half marathon. This is my first run of that distance in a race. My previous is 10K. For those not “in the know” about racing, a 10K is about 6.24 miles and a half marathon is 13.1 miles.

The run is at Bass Pro and I am running for OneSolePurpose. My goal is to raise $250 dollars to help fund kids in Springfield who need shoes. So far, I’ve raised $170. I need to raise $80 more.

Here are a few ways to view this:

• $80 in 12 hours means I need to raise $6.66 per hour.
• I have 780 friends on Facebook and about 300 Twitter followers (which overlap a bit with FB). Let’s call it a total of 800 people. If 80 of you each gave $1 I could reach my goal. Of course that’s a bit hard on the electronic processing, so the minimum is $5.
• If just 16 of you have the minimum $5, I would reach my goal.

I must thank those who have given already. For those who have not, please consider doing so. It’s for a great cause and I have personally seen those who are affected by the work we are doing. This year we are providing shoes to over 5,500 children at 21 Title 1 elementary schools in Springfield, Missouri.

If you are able and willing to help, visit www.onesolepurpose.com and click the link to the page where you can give. In case the URL doesn’t show properly, here is the full link: https://highstreet.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=50 

Make sure you pick my name - Tom Demers!

I’ll post tomorrow how the race went and whether or not I reached my goal.

by John MacArthur. The last one doesn’t fit me (or most people) but this is a great list for pastors to read.

Click the link for English text and then watch the video (it’s in English). Very cool.

I was a Stranger. Taken from Matthew 25:34-40.

Many in my Sunday class yesterday were asking why the Jews are so special, why is Israel so special?
There are many reasons from a Biblical perspective. This morning, as I was reading my Bible, I came across this verse: For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (Ex. 33:16)
Here, Moses is asking God to be with them and make the people distinct. I believe God did that and still does that.

Today, my parents left to return home after a week-long visit. As I sit here this rainy Saturday morning, it strikes me that time marches on, always. Every day that has passed is gone.

Years ago, my parents had visits like this from their parents. Today, my father’s parents are “no longer with us,” one of the ways polite society indicates a person has died. I know this hurts him, because I see it in his eyes. I don’t look forward to the day when I have taken his place as the man who has hurt in his eyes.

Today, I go to the funeral of a man who lived 88 years. His last few were spent in confusion as his body and mind wore down from the effects of sin in the world. He was a man who loved his wife, served in his church and loved God. Today, he is with God in heaven. No more suffering, no more tears.

The teacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is more to be learned from the house of mourning than the house of laughter. This truth is made more evident at each funeral I attend or officiate. When faced with the frailty of humanity and the reality of death, we all take stock of our lives. Is what I’m doing important? Will it matter in 10 years? 50? 100? In eternity?

As my parents drive home, I pray they have a safe trip. I hope I get to see them more than I do. I’m thankful for cell phones and the Internet keeping communication frequent. But I’m reminded of the passage in 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Sometimes family is far away and we don’t get to see them often. Our eternal family is not visible to us and it’s hard; but the day is coming when we will.

What are you doing that matters for eternity? Do you look forward to seeing God face to face? Does your life demonstrate that to all who see you live?

Today, I choose to live for God. To love my wife, my kids, my parents, my family, my friends and even those who don’t like me. Today, I want to be the person God has put me on earth to be. Today, I want to love Him more than I love me.