Sleeping In
“I thirst.”
John 19:28
My alarm clock does not ring. I wake up from a deep sleep, suddenly and with panic. I look at my clock and realize that I should have left my home an hour ago. I NEVER sleep in, except this day. I have a plane to catch and now I do not know if I will make it. I curse myself, grab my duffle bag, which is filled with a dozen empty water bottles, my racing flats, toiletries, sweats, and my running clothes. I hurriedly kiss my wife goodbye, jump into my truck, and begin the […]
Free Falling
Do not let the fear of falling keep you from flying.
I never wanted to go skydiving. Even now, as I write this, I have no urge to go skydiving. I possess a rational, healthy fear of heights. Although I am an adrenaline junky, I have never gravitated towards BASE jumping, bungee jumping, wing-suit flying, bicycle ramps, paragliding, cliff diving, or free climbing.
One year into our marriage, my wife announced that her family was having a reunion, and everyone was going to go skydiving.
“Seriously? So, who in your family is going to participate? Everyone?” I […]
The PCT
Luke 5:16
Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. (NLT)
I had been hiking alone in the dark for hours. I knew that mountain lions were in these mountains, and as nocturnal creatures, they hunt at night, typically taking their prey from behind. I had covered twenty-five miles, I was exhausted, and I kept looking over my shoulder.
After running competitive marathons for ten years, I had discovered my full potential. One hundred miles a week, daily doubles, weight training, and good coaching had given me considerable success, but maintaining that level took a toll after a decade without a […]
Big Waves
I haven’t had the courage to surf these waves…but I like to watch them.
The Death March
Chris looked around his concrete block room, locating a fan that he desperately needed to plug in. His suitcase was open on the floor. It contained all the belongings that he possessed. It was 4:30 p.m. and muggy in Jacmel, Haiti. 24 years old and single, this was his first day “alone” in that country. Reality was sinking in as he thought of the orphans he had moved there to help. Friends from the U.S. had been with him but had left the day before. Tired from the travel, he laid down on his bed and closed his eyes. As […]