DoxA

Amazed and Confused by Grace

Most people don't have a hard time believing that God is an all knowing, all doing and all capable God. We agree His will is supreme... He is sovereign! God will do what God will do. Furthermore, we've heard the definition of "Grace" as God's unmerited favor; right? I think the term was coined by Charles Spurgeon. It's amplified by a verse in Romans, one of the letters the Apostle Paul wrote now held within the Bible, that says...  It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel​have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. (Rom. 11:5) The subject here is God's "election." In other words, we did not chose Him rather He chose us. To understand God's grace is to understand His favor. Which is hard to understand when you deduce that if God chooses some he must not choose some others. Ergo... why would an all knowing, doing, capable God create "some" He will not choose? 

As I have stated in previous posts on this subject, I hesitate to tackle the subject of predestination and wrestle it to the ground. It's not that I'm afraid it's just that I'm realistic enough to think if centuries of theologians have not been able to get a handle on the subject than who am I to get my arms around it. But for the record... let me state we are chosen! God chose us in Christ! To believe otherwise is to deny the holy scriptures. But I also believe many people of faith, including pastors and Christian educators do not fully grasp this concept and blindly believe in the "once saved always saved" mantra like a blindfolded dart thrower at the carnival willing to take home whatever prize he or she gets. Likewise, those who are constantly walking down the aisle to the tune of "Just As I AM" to get saved all over again need question their understanding of sin and atonement and stop reading comic book, "Chick" tracts for their theology. 

Predestination is derived from a word translated form the Greek in only six occasions (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11). Here we see God as the subject not just making a choice but doing so before we could have our say; it was His choice before it ever became our choice. If you look through Biblical history you'll find this is not out of God's character. Abraham... who knew? Not only did God choose a man but a nation as well. Not only a son in Isaac but one over the other named Ishmael. From Saul to David to Jew to Gentile there was in God's eye a chosen and a not so chosen. So when it comes to you and me and our ability to "do right" and somehow getting God's attention like a castaway frantically waving down a passing plane we must acknowledge He already knows where we are and there's little we can do about it. This is why Paul states...  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 2:8-10). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

But back to the confusion... If we have nothing to do to determine the scope or effect of God's grace then why do we bother having to do anything at all? Shouldn't we just walk up to the Holy Meat Counter, pull our ticket and wait for our number to be called? Why then will pastors spend so much energy teaching their congregations to befriend their neighbors and send people on mission trips to foreign places if those who are unsaved are really unchosen? This is a mystery. It is a mystery that includes predestination and is part of the secret things or "hidden" things of God (1Cor.2:7). Yet the words of Jesus, "God loved the WHOLE world so he sent me... and now I send you... Go into all the world and..." Why didn't God just decide to line everyone up against the fence and choose teams? God gets everyone He wants and Satan gets the rest! I don't think we'll ever understand but I can assume that this is not part of the character of God... and how can we really know since His ways are higher than ours? His foolishness greater than our wisdom? His plans laid before the world was created?

Oh my mind is spinning... This is why I believe there will be centuries more to debate and study on this subject. I tried to wrestle it a little and got body slammed!

Santa Barbara Triathlon Race Report

Hello blog friends. I have missed you. Enjoyed my vacation very much but now it's time to get back to business. So as my first post in nearly two weeks here are the details surrounding my third race of five this year: Santa Barbara Long Course Triathlon...

First to understand how a race goes you should understand the preparation before the race. For me leading up to Santa Barbara was simply a lazy walk in the park. Since Ironman France I've done little training. Even with the help of my coach, Brian, I was less motivated and more preoccupied with other activities. Along the way many of my key workout days were sabotaged by travel or key meetings. the four weekends leading up to the race all had workout breaking excuses. To say that I was out of shape and unprepared is stating the obvious. Along with this was building stresses surrounding family and ministry. It's been a hard several weeks that have provided many distractions.

So having set the stage; I, in no way, am trying to excuse a bad performance or gain empathy. These kind of things happen to all triathletes and must be taken into consideration when planning and enduring a year of racing. Training/Racing is, as said before, much like life itself. It should then be no surprise when the two collide and it's hard to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Okay then... what about my race?

The week leading up we headed down to Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County. The location is perfect for us as it sits between the beautiful town of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez wine country. We camp here. Yep, we "rough" it with tent, stove and folding chairs... Well actually it is anything but rough. Every time we camp, we enjoy the comments from other campers about our "compound." We sleep on a full queen mattress with 450 count Egyptian cotton sheets and duvet, have a sound system that plays tunes from my iPod in high fidelity and a grill that allows me to cook most of our meals on seasoned red oak... yes, the New York strip steaks on Wednesday night were amazing! Besides all this it provides a location of absolute serenity. So, back to the race.

On Friday, Joy opted to wait at the camp for our daughter's arrival so I went over the hill to check in at the race venue held at the Cabrillo Boat House. Check in was smooth and I was able to scope out parking for the following morning. Since I've done this race before I did not need to drive or pre-ride the course. When I returned to camp Sara was there and I was able to tune up my bike, gather all my gear, put out my race cloths and set the alarm for 4:30 am to leave by 5 and arrive at Cabrillo beach by 5:30.

Saturday morning was a breeze as we all popped out of bed when the alarm went off... we quietly rolled out of camp right on time and everything flowed as planned. Because I was scheduled to hit the water at 7:15 my first food intake would be less than 3 hours to race time. This is significant... Triathletes take note! If you eat within three hours of your race your insulin levels are greatly affected. Studies have shown it is better to not eat and begin caloric replacement once your race as begun. This goes against traditional thinking and you really have to will yourself to do this but each time I have followed this advice I have had no problems; several time when I have not, I did!

The transition area was quiet in the usual way. I was able to see several old friends from the desert, Cherie Gruenfeld, Lori Travis and Jeremiah O'Keefe along with many of my new friends as part of TRIbe Triathlon, a team I joined here in San Jose. Joy and Sara kept a close eye on my whereabouts as I set up my bike, got body marked, visited the portapotty (a race tradition) and donned the wetsuit and walked down to the beach.

I jumped into the ocean for a warm up swim and found the water quite pleasant and somewhat calm. Swimming out to the first buoy and back I found myself walking out of the surf with the national anthem being sung in the background. As the wave starts began, behind schedule and at longer intervals than planned, I realized this is what happened the last time I raced here and must be the way things go for this very popular west coast race. It's California and we're laid back here!

RACE:
Swim... as we lined up after the wave before exited the sand, Emilo DeSoto, a triathlon clothing manufacturer and top AG triathlete started declaring anyone who swims with goggles is a "sissy." I looked at his head and sure enough, the dude wasn't wearing any. I didn't care what he said and was glad I had mine. As the announcer counted down I grabbed my watch and hit the button to start the time on my race at the word, "Go." Quickly, I was out in front sprinting for open water as the first turn buoy comes up quick turning the swim path parallel to the beach for the one mile swim. I could feel a bit of current against the swim going out and found myself pretty comfortable holding to a draft of a swimmer ahead of me. Sighting was easy throughout the swim I was rarely hit or hit others. I was concerned about how I was going to hold pace with little swim fitness but didn't feel fatigued once. When I exited I saw 27:40 and realize this was significantly faster then when I raced here two years ago.

T1... the run up from the beach is not long but slow. Soft sand and the distance along with the blood flow adjusting from horizontal to vertical in the body gives you an eerie feeling of going nowhere. But getting to the bike I realized how much easier it is to strip my BlueSeventy Helix wetsuit than my old QR. I grabbed my bike and headed in a new direction as the in and out had changed... unfairly I might add giving earlier waves an advantage on both T1 and T2 transitions!

Bike... This course is shorter than I am used to racing; only 34 miles but it is hilly and technical. Here I knew my lack of training was going to show. Of all three sports, my bike has suffered the most and it is what I do best. So, getting started I began fueling the body with GU, Endurolytes and water. At the first turn I saw my old friend and training partner Ben Travis and gave a quick shout out! He was surprised to see me racing. Once going up Toro Canyon I settled into what felt like a doable pace although my heart rate was a little high. The weather was perfect, cool with overcast so I figured I would be able to endure a higher HR. on the flat section leading through Carpenteria I started exchanging positions with a guy who was much bigger than me and even at three bike lengths I could get some slipstream draft. We continued to exchange positions and a few words until we hit the second technical hill section which is a loop on sketchy surfaces and a one lane, one way road. Upon the decent things were slow and I waited for someone to come by me to lead the way. I didn't want to blast down first in case there were obstacles presenting danger. Sure enough there was. At the bottom of the hill just seconds before was a nasty crash involving a couple of racers that looked serious. I slowly went around as race officials were already there. Praying for those who were down on the ground and looking ahead I pressed on now passing people regularly. The ride into SB now faced slight headwinds and required more effort to keep up speed. Other than the climb back up Toro Cyn. it was quick and uneventful giving me a 21 mile an hour average over the 34 miles into T2.

T2... for the most part the racks in my general vicinity were empty and gave me plenty of room to move about. My shoes still attached to my bike by removing them while riding in made it easy for me just to slip into my run shoes, and with taking off my helmet while running to the bike rack all I needed to do was put on a visor and go.

Run... Quick transitions alway mean an awkward feeling on the first 500 meters or mile of the run. It's what happens when the body begins to use different muscles at the same, if not, higher heart rate. Immediately I began to pass people coming out of transition; a good sign. Again, with little run in my legs I was leaning on months of base fitness to get me through. The last time I raced here, two years ago, I was able to start the ten mile run at a 7:45 mile pace and reduce time each mile. However this year there were no mile markers on course and no way to determine splits. It wouldn't have mattered because from the first mile I was running with a HR in the high 150's to low 160's. This was going to be a matter of just hanging on. Luckily the overcast held and I determined to give it all I had. Quickly I began to run past some teammates and be cheered on by other TRIbe family and friends along the course. This was a great boost. At the top of the bluff I saw Kevin Farley and Jeremiah who had words of encouragement which was much needed as this run wasn't nearly as comfortable and quick as the last time I was here. The turnaround is a brutal downhill/uphill half a mile but a reminder you almost home. The run in was steady but not something to write home about, let alone detail here but when I could see the boat house in the distance I began to realize my time wasn't gong to be embarrassing and still likely to be under 3:30. Which is why I was happy to see 3:29:59 on my watch crossing the finish line. Unfortunately, official time states 3:30:00. I think they are too laid back even on their timing!

After the race it was fun to hang out with TRIbe athletes and compare stories, visit with old friends, commiserate with Lori who had some mechanical issues on the bike and just soak in the triathlon vibe that makes this so much fun.

Here are the official splits on the day.

Swim - 28:15/TI - 2:12/Bike - 1:40:00/T2 - 1:35/Run 1:18:00 = 3:30:00 Ovrll152/900 - AG 11/72

It's Been Quiet. I Know

Posting from my iPhone. Here's the view out our back door on Cachuma Lake. We are enjoying quiet and lazy days in the beautiful Santa Barbara wine country. I'll be back to blogging next week with a race report from the Santa Barbara Trithlon. Stay tuned...

More Thoughts on Jesus and Scissors

Continuing the conversation from Monday's post Barbie Doll Jesus, I ran across this great excerpt from Mark Batterson's newest book Wild Goose Chase... I couldn't agree more!

In the beginning, God made man in His Image.

Man has been making God in his image ever since.

Call it naturalism. Call it anthropomorphism. Call it idolatry. Call it what you will. The end result of this spiritual inversion is a god that is about our size and looks an awful lot like us. And most of our spiritual shortcomings stem from this fundamental mistake: thinking about God in human terms. We make God in our image and what we’re left with is a God who can never surprise us, never astonish us, never overwhelm us, never transcend us.

Thomas Jefferson loved the teachings of Jesus. In fact, the author of the Declaration of Independence once called them the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man. But Jefferson was also a child of the Enlightenment. He didn’t have a cognitive category for miracles so Jefferson literally took a pair of scissors and cut them out of his King James Bible. It took him two or three nights. And by the time he was done, he had cut out the virgin birth; cut out the angels; and cut out the resurrection. Jefferson extracted every miracle and the end result was a book titled the Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth or what is commonly referred to as the Jefferson Bible.

Hard to imagine isn’t it? And something rises up within those of us that believe the Bible is divinely inspired by God. Part of us scoffs or scolds Jefferson. You can’t pick-and-choose. You can’t cut-and-paste. You can’t do that to the Bible. But here’s the honest truth: while most of us can’t imagine taking a pair of scissors to the Bible and physically cutting verses out, we do exactly what Jefferson did. We ignore verses we cannot comprehend. We avoid verses we do not like. And we rationalize verses that are too radical. And we may not cut them out with a pair of scissors, but the end result is the same. We are trapped by our own logic. Our lives are limited to those things we can comprehend with our cerebral cortex. And we end up in the cage of our own assumptions. And the more assumptions we make, the smaller our cage becomes.

Excerpt from Wild Goose Chase

HT: Evotion.com

TRI China

This year the world will be watching triathlon not from an Ironman coverage, come this November but from an Olympic venue in just a few days. The women's competition can be seen Sunday night on NBC while the men will have to wait a couple of days to get their turn. To understand the nuances of this race here's my preview and predictions...

Olympic distance racing... This is very different than what you think about triathlon. Most people think Ironman; a grueling event spanning enormous distances. In the Olympic distance the rules are different and the travel much shorter... here's the lowdown. In an Olympic race the swim is 1500 meters (shy of the 3800 or 2.4 miles of Ironman) the bike is 40 kilometers (not 180K or 112 miles) and the run is a scant 10K (or 6.2 miles - far short of a marathon). Also, to be noted: All other racing in triathlon you can not draft or ride in pack on the bike; ala, Tour de France! In Oly distance racing you can!

So with all of this, you're probably thinking, "Wow, Olympic distance racing is a lot easier. Dan must really be a stud!" Well, not so fast bucko!

In Ironman you really are racing against yourself and it's limits. Clearly the Olympic distance race is suited for racing against your competition. In Olympic racing there is much more strategy and team dynamics. It forces you to be good at all three disciplines. If you don't exit the water with the lead group... you can kiss your chance of winning goodbye. However, in the Ironman you can be a mediocre swimmer and catch everyone on the bike if you've got the legs. Yet in an Olympic race you can sit in the pack as an average cyclist and tear the legs off everyone else with a blistering run because you got to take it easy (that's never me by the way)!

I would love to see the American hopefuls win. But I think the Aussies will dominate. The Olympic distance is their specialty. But keep your eye on Jarrod Shoemaker and Sarah Haskins as my picks for top US man and woman to snap the tape. My prediction for overall will be Emma Snowsill of Australia on the ladies side while dominant Javier Gomez of Spain to take the gold for the men. Who knows, four years ago there were big upsets in Athens and who's to say it can't be done by the Americans in China?

Go Team USA!

Gotta Dance and Singin in the Stuff

Have you had the "musical" discussion? You know... I love musicals / I hate musicals?

Musicals have been a big part of my life. I've performed, written, produced and directed musicals. Heck, I've been a veritable Barbra Streisand! Okay, so my nose is big but that's as far as it goes to resembling Babbs! Most of the time when I get into the "musical" discussion the arguments are all the same from the opposing side. See if you haven't either heard this or said this...

"It's not real! Where in real life do people just break out in song and dance?"

Well, thanks to Jake of Jake Rhymes with Cake I would like to share this wonderful tidbit that people can just break out in song... think of what this world would be like if it really happened?

Enjoy... and let me know what your favorite musical is or whether you're still on the other side.

This post is part of the Watercooler Wednesday discussion going on over at Ethos. Check it out HERE.

Linkin Blogs

When people ask me, "Where do you get those ideas on church and culture?" I have to say much is what is observed, discussed and read. When it comes to the reading part. I read books put out by Barna, Driscoll, Keller, Kimball and Claiborne. But in my new 2.0 world I prefer blogs... like this one.

The Fermi Project is a broad collective of innovators, artists, social entrepreneurs, church and societal leaders experimenting with ways to advance the common good in culture.

The focus of this project is strategically placed on Christians and leaders throughout the Church. Multiple mediums are leveraged to push forward the essence of this project, including events, research, essays, films, books and culture shaping projects.

What is the meaning... well from their website they describe it this way...

"In contrast to things that are big, Fermi represents the beginning of a chain reaction. It starts small, but through intentional linking over time creates an exponential effect, a major shift within the church's way of viewing its mission and opportunity within the culture."

These "chain reactions" are powerful and effective. Such as the Girl Effect, Invisible Children and more close to home Beautiful Day. There are many more listed and an invitation to include more "projects."

So check it out and if you have a great idea that you think would make an excellent project share it with us here.

Barbie Doll Jesus

The other day I was looking at a picture of Jesus. It was a classic image, one that often appears in the mind when a thought is conjured of the Jewish carpenter. He is looking to the side, eyes looking upward, white robe, blue sash, long flowing hair neatly trimmed beard, blue eyes and striking anlgo features. This image could be anything but a carpenter or Jewish. While on one hand you can (and many have) make an argument about how unlikely Jesus would have looked in our modern portrayals the opposite can be just as troubling; if we make Christ so rigid in our imaginations we will never really consider Him for who He truly is for He is beyond our canvas and too good for our brushes.

When my daughters were young they had many... I mean lots of Barbie dolls. For hours on end, they would dress them up, create identities and act out their surrogate lives on the bedroom floor. There was a much larger size Barbie doll head where the girls could fix her hair differently and put make up on her giving Barbie many different looks. When the girls felt happy and fun, Barbie was whimsical and youthful, when one of them was angry or frustrated Barbie looked like she could be walking the "streets!" You know... in that part of town.

There is a part of us that will make Jesus a figment of our imagination. We can't help it. Before I go on trip to a place I've never been I imagine what it'll be like. When we try to think of things that are real of which we've never seen, we do that.  However, we need to be earnest in our search for information as to who Christ is so we do not fall prey of "making him in our own image." By doing so we make Jesus out to be just like us and the last thing I need is a Jesus to be like me (scary thought). Also, we must be careful to not accept any description as fact without investigation. We must come to know Jesus as real, divine and human; this is exactly what history and the Bible tell us about him! Many would like to argue only one is true or neither is but just because they say so doesn't make it so.  In the same way, just because some images of old or descriptions as of late, depict who he is, doesn't necessarily make it so either.

Most recently some have taken issue with the casual portrayal of Jesus in the fictional work of William P. Young's, The Shack. While I have a hard time imagining Jesus as a huggy, back slapping, flannel-shirt wearing part of the Trinity, I have to admit I don't know what he would be like if personified today. I am sure he would not be a clown-faced singer such as the one portrayed in the early 70's musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell but when I was new in my faith and a product of that hippy-happy generation, I can't tell you how much I wept when Victor Garber was convulsing on that chain link fence.

As specif as we wish Him to be, his descriptions are varied and elusive. He is the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:22, Mic.5:2... the agent of creation (Col 1:15-20)... the one who let his disciples pick and eat grain on the sabbath (Matt. 12:1-8)... who let prostitutes get close and come clean (Luke 7:36-50)... who told his friend who denied him, "feed my sheep" (Jn 21:17)... the one who the apostle John fell face down before "as if dead!" when looking upon him glorified (Rev. 1:12-18) and the Jesus who is coming soon as the groom to receive his bride (Rev. 22:12-16)!

What does Jesus look like to you? How would you describe him?

If we insist that Jesus be left alone and no one ought attempt to paint him then our pulpits would be empty and commentaries useless. However, if we are too sloppy with the makeup or happy with the scissors then we will present an image that is phony and scary to those who are looking for the real Jesus... the one in whom we were made; by Him and to be like him.

Thank You, No Really... Thanks

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to all you wonderful people who email me and tell me personally how much you enjoy my blog. It really makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to read and hear such glowing remarks.

But will you please stop it! ... emailing and telling me personally that is.

Just below each post is an underlined word in blue which indicates it is a link to another place in cyberspace called "Comments." This is where bloggers not only like to hear the nice and glowing praise of their readers it is also a place, believe it or not, I like to read your disagreement or additional thoughts.

A friend of mine, who will remain nameless (but his initials are eff pillman) tells me he wants to comment but thinks what he has to say is more prone to a personal conversation... while another friend told me several posts had stirred thoughts within her but felt her opinions weren't that important because they were based in her personal experience and not known fact. Most recently I received a great email from a friend down in So. Cal who just started reading my blog and shared with me how much he enjoys it and noted, through the "Linkin Blogs" posts, how he discovered other bloggers who he now follows and downloaded one of their albums from iTunes... now that's the beauty of the blogosphere!

By the way... before I forget. I want to thank those who are regular comment contributors because you add wit, intelligence, and deeper insights into what can be nothing more than a speech in cyberspace so really... Thanks!

But for the rest of you... don't be shy. This is not a solicitation for gratuitous praise. Uh uh, disagree, rant... tell me I'm too skinny or old... call me a straw man, I won't care (actually that last one will hurt) but just click the little word below and leave several words of your own. I care about what you think and the world does too.

Have a great Friday!

Lest We Forget

As triathletes we aim to race... not just one race but as many as we can physically and financially afford. I've met people who will set a goal to do "a" race but generally that race becomes the beginning of what we like to call in triathlon, a "life-style." When people in triathlon stop racing the reasons vary; injury, career change, change to a new sport... but I've not met anyone who said, "'I just don't like it anymore." I'm sure there are a few out there but I've never trained with them.

As races come and go we enjoy the memory of the last race gone - by hanging up the medal and piling the teeshirt with the others and anticipate the next one coming up on the calendar by specific training and preparation for just that day. It is the habit, the pattern of a triathlete. Each race leads to the next. I can honestly say I don't have a race or date in mind that I know will be my last. I just assume I'll be racing until, well, I don't even think about "until" and I probably wont until something happens. As triathletes we rarely look back and we never really consider the future, we just take life one race at a time. It is the habit... triathetes are addicts and they can't shake the habit. Recovering alcoholics recite the axiom "One day at a time." They have broken the habit in hopes of a healthier life. I don't know any recovering triathletes perhaps they too exist, but I've never trained with them either. But let me be clear; the race habit isn't healthy for our overall outlook on life.

"What!!!" I can hear it now. All you triathlete types want to argue the point. "NOT healthy?" Well... Get over it.

We learn the most by understanding our past. We gain wisdom by studying our experiences which are forged through the furnace of loss and defeat, pain and suffering and we apply our findings to our future goals and aspirations. Unfortunately, most of us are unwilling students.

In racing like life we live in the moment. We can only feel what we feel in the moment. Past pain and glory is only remembered through the filter of the present and the future can only be imagined. Therefore, we live in the moment and call on the past only when it is convenient.

But... lest we forget.

I was convicted yesterday when I got mostly through my day and had forgotten to pray for Jamie. Yesterday she was to have her second drain tube pulled from her body and to have the remainder of her stitches removed from her latest surgery. My excuse was I had just got caught up in the moment and forgot. Each day we move on... next day, next race. While Jamie continues to lie on her side staring at the same vista she's been forced to memorize we move freely and explore new sights without even noticing.

Lindsey's memorial service was last Friday. Hundreds of people gathered and remembered... then they went home.  Her father calls her cell phone just to hear the message... we will eventually erase her number from our phone; not to be cruel but because it's practical.

We move on... lest we forget.

We triathletes see our racing as a personal battle; mostly against self and occasionally against the competition. We endeavor to triumph, we rejoice in the success... yet will we learn from the experience, no matter how good or bad? Will we come to realize that we were not the only person in the race!

Far-called, our navies melt away;

On dune and headland sinks the fire:

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet.

Lest we forget—lest we forget!