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2 episodes with Heartbreak Hill
4 episodes with Heartbreak Hill
2 episodes with Heartbreak Hill
2 episodes with Heartbreak Hill
2 episodes with Heartbreak Hill
2 episodes with Heartbreak Hill
In this special episode of More Than Miles, Kate and Kacy reflect on their very different—yet deeply personal—experiences at the 2025 Boston Marathon. Kacy, running her seventh Boston, shares the highs and lows from the course, from the nostalgic energy of Heartbreak Hill to the emotional charge of Boylston Street. Kate, who's run Boston three times herself, was on the other side of the barricades this year—working in the finish line medical tent as part of the massive team supporting thousands of runners crossing the line.Together, they bring two perspectives to one unforgettable race day: the physical and emotional grind of running Boston, and the organized chaos of caring for runners in distress. They also dive into stories from years past, race-day mishaps, and the reasons this race continues to inspire and humble them both. Whether you're chasing a BQ or just soaking in the vibe, this episode captures what makes Boston more than just a marathon—it's a rite of passage.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/more-than-miles--4761296/support.
We break down the details of two stories intertwined by loss and chat about Sarah's latest deep dive.
It's Marathon Monday in Boston, and we're diving deep into the legacy of the world's most iconic footrace. In this episode of Sportly, Kavitha Davidson breaks down what makes the Boston Marathon so special, from its historic first race in 1897 to the Wellesley Scream Tunnel, Heartbreak Hill, and the spirit of resilience that followed the 2013 bombing. The episode explores what it takes to qualify, how the race has evolved, and why it continues to hold a near-mythic status among runners. Whether you're racing today or cheering from the sidelines, this one's for you. Host: Kavitha A. Davison | Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writers: Nicholas Black & Kavitha Davidson I Fact Checking and Research: Suhasini Patni I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover Art Graphic Designer: Sarah DiMichele Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. You can reach the host, Kavitha, at kavitha@immigrantlypod.com Follow us on TikTok @immigrantly IG @immigrantlypods Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman! Subscribe and join us for online & in-person services every Sunday at 10:30am (EST).Speaker: Pastor Kyle McLean
Send us a textBoston Marathon Special – Course Breakdown & Race Day Tips
If you've ever looked a Canadian goose in the eye, well, you know you've seen pure evil. Today on the podcast, we talk about encounters with geese, jury duty in Baltimore, shark cages, and Karl's latest emo hit titled "Heartbreak Hill." We also talk about a few other shoes, including more experiences in the Tracksmith Eliot Racer and the Veja Condor 3 Advanced.Support our sponsors!SAYSKY X PUMAExperience the premium quality and unique design of the PUMA x SAYSKY collection. Check it out now at saysky.com and use code DROP15 to save. WAHOO FITNESS Discover the KICKR RUN, a groundbreaking reimagination of the treadmill from Wahoo. Its innovative RunFree mode lets you run naturally—automatically adjusting to your pace without having to press a button. Plus, effortlessly sync with training devices to optimize your indoor workouts and achieve your goals. Learn more: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/?rfsn=8167444.8594e18 SWIFTWICKThe best running socks in the game, Swiftwick just launched their new spring collection this week, and Drop listeners can get 15% off their first purchase with code BELIEVE15. Shop here: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believeLMNTIt's warming up, which means you're sweating more, which means you need more salt. Like, a lot more. Luckily, LMNT has 1000 mg of the stuff, as well as potassium and magnesium. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: http://drinklmnt.com/thedropMICHAEL BONSBY HVAC We talk a lot about performance and recovery—but let's be real, if your home's not comfortable, neither is your training. That's why we teamed up with Michael Bonsby HVAC, a local Maryland legend and part of the Zephyr Home Services crew. They helped us out big time, and now they're offering Believe in the Run listeners $50 off any service or new install. Spring is almost here, so get ready to elevate your cool down after this summer's hottest runs. They've got you covered, so book your service now at www.michaelbonsbyhvac.com.INDEX3:05 - Favorite Seasons / Second Summer5:28 - TV talk13:00 - Boston Marathon course / Getting your heart actually broken at Heartbreak Hill20:51 - Dolphins and sharks27:00 - Evil Geese31:20 - Robbe's Jury Duty experience38:37 - Nepo Babies42:15 - The Speed Project / Barkley Marathon / HAT 50K1:07:06 - Weightlifting talk1:09:00 - Shoe talk1:16:00 - Tracksmith Signs Steph Bruce / Puma "Got High" ad1:22:34 - Veja Condor 3 Advanced
This week the boys are joined by SVT athlete Alex Simpson.Gareth and Alex worked together nearly 20 years ago and hadn't seen each other again until their paths crossed at a run, Worlds apart from the lives they lived 20 years ago!Tune in and listen to Alex compare the euphoria of Heartbreak Hill to a night in Escape and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Emily Brennan's journey into the world of marathon running is nothing short of inspirational. After college, she took up running to get healthier, finding it was more than just a physical endeavor; it became a balm for stress and a mental clarity booster. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of running, highlighting how it has become an integral part of her life and well-being. From her initial races with Team Alzheimer's to securing a coveted spot in the Boston Marathon, Emily's dedication shines through.The push to run the Boston Marathon was fueled by a heartfelt mission—raising funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Emily's determination to support cancer research was sparked by the battles faced by her close friend's father and her cousin, making every mile run deeply personal. She shares the challenges of balancing rigorous training with the demands of fundraising, likening it to juggling multiple part-time jobs. Yet, the joy of being unexpectedly offered a charity spot filled her with gratitude and reinforced her commitment to making a difference in the fight against cancer.If you'd like to support Emily's mission, you can donate directly through her Dana-Farber Fundraising Page and follow her updates on Instagram and Facebook.As Emily prepares to tackle the infamous Heartbreak Hill, she reflects on the camaraderie and support of the running community. Training with a team that shares her passion for fighting cancer has been invigorating, bringing her closer to like-minded individuals whose personal stories inspire her further. Throughout her training journey, Emily has embraced positive self-talk, focusing on enjoying the marathon experience rather than chasing personal records. Her story encourages us all to savor the moment and use our passions to contribute to causes that matter deeply.Have questions or want to chat? Send me a text!Support the showJoin the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
This week, Devin Stewart is joined by “Mad” Matt McCay, resident writer and analyst, as we bring you the longest-running podcast following WKU athletics, The RedOUT Podcast! If you would like to support The RedOUT Podcast directly feel free to donate to our Patreon! by clicking the link below! The RedOUT Podcast Patreon Your support makes these episodes possible. On the latest episode, Matt and Devin recap the Heartbreak of WKU vs BC, Volleyball conference news, Basketball's Charity exhibition, and much more. Also, where do you stand on the play calling from Saturday, the ref's penalties, or even the choices during the game. Make sure you also listen in for updates on the other active sports around campus this fall! Hope you enjoy. Thanks to Aura for sponsoring this episode, and make sure to check out Aura.com/RedOUT to save and save your information today.
Episode 077- An ultra discussion with Jon Vinyl. On this episode we chat about his early upbringing in Toronto, journey within the music industry, process behind his recent album Heartbreak Hill, and much more.
Summary In this conversation, Adam Wheeler shares his experience running the Boston Marathon. He discusses his desire to qualify for Boston and the challenge it presented. He talks about his accommodations in Somerville and recommends restaurants like Highland Kitchen. Adam also shares his expo experience and the logistics of transportation to the start line. He describes the race day atmosphere, the congestion at the start, and the incredible crowd support throughout the course. He highlights a moment of solitude around mile 8 where runners can take a deep breath and assess their performance. In this conversation, Adam and Andrew discuss Adam's experience running the Boston Marathon. They cover topics such as the internal check and the Wellesley section of the course, the Newton Hills and how they compare to the Pittsburgh Marathon, the significance of Heartbreak Hill and the net downhill section of the course, the iconic Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston turn, post-race logistics and the challenges of getting back to the hotel, and plans for post-race celebrations. Overall, Adam emphasizes the importance of enjoying the race and taking in the special moments. Takeaways Take the time to do an internal check during the race and remove distractions to get into your own rhythm. The Newton Hills in the Boston Marathon provide opportunities for recovery with flat stretches and downhill sections. Heartbreak Hill is a significant point in the race, but once you pass it, the course becomes mostly downhill. The Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston turn is a memorable and emotional moment for runners. Consider making changes to post-race logistics to avoid long walks and crowded transportation. Take the time to celebrate and enjoy the post-race experience, whether it's attending parties or spending time with friends and family. Sound Bites Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Desire to Run Boston 06:40 Accommodations and Restaurants 09:08 Pre-Race and Post-Race Activities 10:57 Expo Experience 14:02 Transportation to the Start Line 19:05 Race Day Logistics 31:10 Crowd Support and Moments of Solitude 33:07 Internal Check and Wellesley 35:17 Newton Hills and Pittsburgh Comparison 36:13 Heartbreak Hill and Net Downhill 39:36 Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston 45:00 Post-Race Logistics 49:06 Changes for This Year 52:46 Post-Race Celebrations
In this episode we unravel the inspiring tale of the Heartbreak Hill Running Store, its evolution into a vibrant running club known as the Heartbreakers, and its groundbreaking support of the "Love Squad" to aid college athletes post-NIL era.Founded by Massachusetts entrepreneur and endurance athlete, Dan Fitzgerald, the Heartbreak Hill Running Store initially served as a haven for runners seeking quality gear and expert advice. However, fueled by Fitzgerald's passion and vision, it soon burgeoned into more than just a retail space—it became a cornerstone of the local running community in the Boston area, Chicago and beyond.As the Heartbreakers (running club) emerged, named in homage to the infamous Heartbreak Hill on the Boston Marathon route, it embodied the ethos of camaraderie, perseverance, and unwavering support. Weekly group runs became the heartbeat of the club, fostering bonds that transcended mere athleticism.Yet, the Heartbreakers' impact extends beyond the roads and track. With the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation, the running community faced a paradigm shift, particularly for college athletes navigating newfound opportunities and challenges. In response, the Heartbreak Hill Running Store spearheaded the creation of the Love Squad, a support network aimed at guiding and empowering college athletes in their NIL ventures.Through mentorship, educational workshops, and advocacy, the Love Squad embodies the Heartbreakers' commitment to uplifting others and fostering a culture of inclusivity and support. As college athletes navigate the complexities of NIL, they find solace and guidance in the unwavering embrace of the Heartbreak Hill running community.If you'd like to catch up with this community of runners, listen to this episode, or show up at one of their weekly events for an inspiring track workout or outdoor long run: Tuesday and Saturday mornings, or Thursday nights!So join us as we traverse the winding paths of history, camaraderie, and empowerment, guided by the beacon of hope and support that is Heartbreak Hill.Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.
In this episode, we delve into a diverse range of intriguing topics and discussions. From relationship drama to philosophical musings, and international diplomacy, we've got it all covered.(07:00) - "Alicia stole someone's boyfriend?": We kick things off with some juicy relationship drama. Join us as we unpack the story of Alicia, the alleged boyfriend-stealer. Is it just gossip, or is there more to the story?(1:08:20) - "Are cohesive albums boring now?": Music enthusiasts, this one's for you. We dive into the world of music albums and question whether cohesion is still a desirable trait in the age of streaming and singles. Is the era of the concept album over?(1:19:15) - "What are signs of a bad person?": Moving on to a more serious note, we explore the signs that might indicate someone is not the best company to keep. A thought-provoking discussion on morality and character.(1:42:00) - "Is Jada & Will Smith's marriage on the rocks?": Hollywood power couple Jada and Will Smith have long been under the media's microscope. We examine the latest rumors about their marriage and the reality behind the headlines.(1:59:50) - "We need peace in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine": Shifting gears to international affairs, we discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the pressing need for peace between Israel and Palestine. What can be done to achieve lasting harmony in the region?Join us for an episode filled with intrigue, introspection, and international perspectives. It's a diverse mix of topics that will leave you thinking and talking long after the episode ends. IT'S THE EXTRA GRAVYYYYYYY(07:00) Alicia's Toronto Beef??(1:08:20) Are cohesive albums boring now?(1:19:15) What are signs of a bad person?(1:42:00) That Jada & that Will love?(1:59:50) We need peace in the Middle East Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pushing Past Heartbreak Hill
Ready to lace up your running shoes and sprint through the rich history of the iconic Boston Marathon? Our latest episode promises a marathon of insights, from the tale of the first woman to run the race, Roberta Gibb, to Kathrine Switzer who officially broke the gender barrier with her bib entry. We'll take you from the starting line to the finish, recounting the inspired stories intertwined with this legendary race, including the heartrending Boston Marathon bombing and the resilience it sparked within the running community.Running a marathon isn't just about the race; it's about the entire experience. In the second part of our episode, we share the unique aspects that make the Boston Marathon an unforgettable experience. Brace yourself for an energetic bus tour, the cacophony of cheers from Wellesley College girls at the Scream Tunnel, and a reflective pause at the poignant memorial near the finish line. Wanna snag a workout that will help you conquer Heartbreak Hill? Head over to the blog here. And we can't forget to mention the month-long Podiversary celebration happening at Time for Brunch — a perfect place to replenish post-run. So, get ready to run this race with us, one story at a time.Support the showJoin the newsletter list to receive updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Want to become a member of Time for bRUNch+ to show your support of the show? Join here.Join the bRUNch bunch on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
Artist Song Time Album Year Strawbs Ghosts 8:24 Ghosts (1998 Remaster) 1975 Strawbs Heartbreak Hill 7:21 Heartbreak Hill 1978 Strawbs The Life Auction 6:48 Ghosts (1998 Remaster) 1975 Strawbs Lay a Little Light on Me 3:28 Hero and Heroine 1974 Stray Suicide 7:37 Suicide 1971 The Stray Cats Stray Cat Strut 3:13 Stray Cats 1981 […]
Beards and Dun sit down to discuss Beards' training leading up to the incredible 1982 Boston Marathon. Does a stomach bug lead to disaster or a blessing in disguise? Beards tackles Heartbreak Hill in a blizzard, gives a false name in Nashville, and sees signs pointing to victory. Beards and Dun also take a moment to remember legendary runner and coach to many greats, Bill Squires.
The GOAT herself joined our listeners in person this week for a run in Phoenix Park. I captured some sounds and asked Sonia why the "run slow to run fast" mantra might not apply to her. We look forward to the World Championships in Budapest and back at an incredible summer of running for Irish athletes including Sophie O'Sullivan. With the Dublin marathon less than 90 days away I ask Sonia about the most challenging hill on the course. Is it possible to prepare for a "heartbreak hill" or is giving it a name a step in the wrong direction? I take a spin into Vinny Mulvey (Patreon exclusive content visit www.patreon.com/irishmababroad to sign up today) for a chat about marathon training with less than 3 months to go. Is the 10% mileage increase a hard and fast rule or can we jump it a little faster a little sooner. There's also a trip around the Strava parishes and Sonia's tip of the week to enjoy. Come and see me on tour this autumn. Visit www.jigser.com for all my tour dates. Or why not come to our next week up run. Find the club on Strava today. If you'd like to contact me directly, that is easy too. You know what to do! 1. Irishman Abroad Live Line: You can now get in touch with us and feature on our shows by sending your WhatsApp voice note to 00447543122330. 2. Email Jar, Sonia and Marion directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com. For updates on future episodes and live shows follow Jar here on Twitter, visit www.jigser.com or subscribe to the YouTube channel here. Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.
The GOAT herself joined our listeners in person this week for a run in Phoenix Park. I captured some sounds and asked Sonia why the "run slow to run fast" mantra might not apply to her. We look forward to the World Championships in Budapest and back at an incredible summer of running for Irish athletes including Sophie O'Sullivan. With the Dublin marathon less than 90 days away I ask Sonia about the most challenging hill on the course. Is it possible to prepare for a "heartbreak hill" or is giving it a name a step in the wrong direction? I take a spin into Vinny Mulvey (Patreon exclusive content visit www.patreon.com/irishmababroad to sign up today) for a chat about marathon training with less than 3 months to go. Is the 10% mileage increase a hard and fast rule or can we jump it a little faster a little sooner. There's also a trip around the Strava parishes and Sonia's tip of the week to enjoy. Come and see me on tour this autumn. Visit www.jigser.com for all my tour dates. Or why not come to our next week up run. Find the club on Strava today. If you'd like to contact me directly, that is easy too. You know what to do! 1. Irishman Abroad Live Line: You can now get in touch with us and feature on our shows by sending your WhatsApp voice note to 00447543122330. 2. Email Jar, Sonia and Marion directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com. For updates on future episodes and live shows follow Jar here on Twitter, visit www.jigser.com or subscribe to the YouTube channel here. Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.
Ep. 102: Woz & Jordan Williams - Heartbreak Hill 100k Challenge We were delighted to have father and son coaching due Woz and Jordon Williams join us on the show. Woz and Jordan are Sydney based coaches with a thriving squad of over 300 athletes. We got to hear about what makes a training environment produce both successful athletes and sustainable relationships in sport. Woz was able to share his health journey over the past few years which was a strong reminder of gratitude, resilience and tenacity. Woz had always centred his life around sports and healthy living, so when he was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia at 49 it was a huge shock. Woz shared some scary details about his heart which make you realise just how lucky you are if you can go for a run a run have to think about it. Jordan spoke on his journey into coaching and his own personal history in sport at an elite level. In honour of Woz and his health scare on August 5th Jordon will be running 100k up and down Heart Break Hill to raise fund for cardiac research and St Vincent's Hospital. You can here more about the charity event through the link below; Donate here: https://svhs.grassrootz.com/heartbreak-10 And links to socials below; @jordanwilliams.__ @upandrunning.sydney @east.elite @therunsquad_au We know you're going to love this one guys TSSP X
Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Interviewing the Legends I'm your host Ray Shasho. Music Legends Strawbs To Release New Album “The Magic Of It All” On July 14, 2023! SUPERB NEW ALBUM BY STRAWBS FEATURING DAVID COUSINS, BLUE WEAVER AND JOHN FORD British music legends Strawbs will be releasing their new album “The Magic Of It All” on July 14th! Recorded in Cape Town, the album features David Cousins, Blue Weaver, and John Ford from classic 1970's line up joined by some of the finest musicians and singers in South Africa. Strawbs were high in the charts with “Grave New World” and “Bursting At The Seams” 50 years ago which coincided with a pivotal moment in the struggle for freedom in South Africa, when students and workers launched a new wave of resistance against so-called “resettlement”. The resistance in South Africa identified with Strawbs songs, especially “Part Of The Union”, “Lay Down”, and “New World”. Recognizing this, South Africa documentary maker, Niel van Deventer, approached David Cousins with the idea of producing a documentary about Strawbs and the band's influence around the world. Niel wanted to film while new songs were being recorded in a Cape Town studio. David Cousins came up with a bunch of his finest songs; Blue Weaver flew over to produce the sessions and co- write some of the material, while John Ford joined in with his contribution to the songs from New York. Featuring brand-new songs recorded at the Academy Of Sound Engineering in Cape Town, with engineer Peter Pearlson, who worked with Paul Simon when he was recording South African musicians for the “Graceland” album. The documentary “The Magic Of It All” will be released July 14, 2023. PLEASE WELCOME FOUNDING MEMBER, SINGER, MUSICIAN AND MOST -ACTIVE SONGWRITER SINCE OF THE LEGENDARY STRAWBS SINCE 1967 …DAVID COUSINS TO INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS. PURCHASE THE LATEST ALBUM BY S T R A W B S THE MAGIC OF IT ALL Cherry Red press release announces the new Strawbs album, to be released on CD, vinyl and download on 14 Jul 2023. You can pre-order the album from Cherry Red from the Cherry Red website. Purchasers will get signed postcards whilst stocks last. THE MAGIC OF IT ALL The new Strawbs studio album was recorded in Cape Town in 2022.David Cousins, Blue Weaver, and John Ford from classic 1970s Strawbs join with the some of the finest musicians and singers in South Africa. Strawbs were high in the charts with Grave New World and Bursting at the Seams fifty years ago in the early 1970s. It coincided with a pivotal moment in the struggle for freedom in South Africa when students and workers launched a new wave of resistance against so-called “resettlement”. The resistance in South Africa identified with Strawbs songs, especially "Part of the Union", "Lay Down", and "New World". Strawbs albums sold well and became highly prized. Recognizing this, South Africa documentary maker, Niel van Deventer, approached David Cousins with the idea of producing a documentary about Strawbs and the band's influence around the world. Niel wanted to film while new songs were being recorded in a Cape Town studio. David Cousins came up with a bunch of his finest songs, Blue Weaver flew over to produce the sessions and co-write some of the songs, while John Ford joined in with his contribution to the songs from New York. The album is called The Magic Of It All - 11 brand-new songs recorded at the Academy of Sound Engineering in Cape Town in Sep 2022. Engineer Peter Pearlson worked with Paul Simon when he was recording South African musicians for the Graceland album. The South African musicians on this album include Mauritz Lotz, Schalk Joubert, Kevin Gibson, Byron Abrahams, Simangele Mashazi, Marzia Barry and Luna Paige. Cathryn Craig and Nicole Tee joined the singers from the UK. David Cousins says: “The Academy of Sound Engineering is a college for training young audio engineers. We were surrounded by several students every day while we recorded, and they were involved in setting up the studio and lining up the desk. They learned a lot – and so did I. It was magic!” Blue Weaver says: “It really was 'Magic' working in Cape Town especially having such great musicians and an engineer who made my job very easy. It was wonderful also to see how the students reacted to our ways of recording live in the studio and to answer their questions. I‘m looking forward to seeing the documentary especially the "fly on the wall" video recordings that were made during the sessions.“ The Magic Of It All is released simultaneously on vinyl, CD and download by Cherry Red on 14 July. The documentary "The Magic Of It All" will be released later this year." Strawbs “The Magic Of It All” will be available on CD and vinyl. To pre-order: www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/strawbs FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DAVID COUSINS AND STRAWBS VISIT www.strawbsweb.co.uk Official website www.facebook.com/groups/strawbs Facebook https://twitter.com/strawbsband?lang=en Twitter STRAWBS FINAL TOUR DATES Running order as at 20 Jan 23: THURSDAY 10 AUG 2023 Thursday Headliner TBA Toyah & Robert Fripp Damien Wilson & Adam Wakeman Merry Hell Fairport Acoustic FRIDAY 11 AUG 2023 10CC Fisherman's Friends Strawbs (farewell show) Peat and Diesel Kiki Dee and Carmel Luigieri Joshua Burnell Two more Friday Acts TBA SATURDAY 12 AUG 2023 Fairport Convention & Friends Gilbert O'Sullivan The Young 'Uns Solstice Beans on Toast Morganway Richard Digance STRAWBS Discography Strawbs (1969) Dragonfly (1970) Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios (recorded live) (1970) From the Witchwood (1971) Grave New World (1972) Bursting at the Seams (1973) All Our Own Work (1973; recorded 1967) Hero and Heroine (1974) Ghosts (1975) Nomadness (1975) Deep Cuts (1976) Burning for You (1977) Deadlines (1978) Don't Say Goodbye (1987) Ringing Down the Years (1991) Heartbreak Hill (1995) Baroque & Roll (2001) Strawberry Sampler Number 1 (2001; recorded 1969) 30 Years in Rock (2001; Issued with "Wondrous Stories" magazine) Blue Angel (2003) Déjà Fou (2004) Live at Nearfest (2006) The Broken Hearted Bride (2008) Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009) Hero & Heroine in Ascencia (2011) Prognostic (2014) The Ferryman's Curse (2017) Live in Concert CD / DVD (2020) Best of The Strawbs - Live in Concert Vinyl (2020) Settlement (2021) The Magic Of It All (2023) Support us!
Today – My guest Jayden Lombardo just returned from completing the most famous, and some say most daunting marathon: the Boston Marathon, 26.2 grueling miles through the streets of Boston, culminating at Heartbreak Hill! He joined 30,000 other runners and finished just before the rain came down in buckets. I pity those who finished later. We learn why the Unicorn is the official symbol of the Boston Marathon, why I call him Quadzilla or the Quadfather, and how he managed to spend an entire week apart from his girlfriend Schmoopy. He enjoyed his first trip to Boston and saw the sites including learning about the Salem Which Trials, the kings church and fun facts about the Rhode Island state capital. We sample and rate another Whisky and I recall a good chunk of the famous poem “Paul Revere's Ride” from elementary school – not bad for an old man!
Chebet beats Kipchoge! Kiptum runs 2:01! Emma Bates leads through Heartbreak Hill! Sifan Hassan has an epic comeback! It's time to recap the marathon battles at Boston and London. Plus, we're unveiling our upcoming historical retrospective series on the 1984 L.A. Olympic Marathons. We're going deep on the athletes, the training, and the build-up races leading to the 40th anniversary of a seminal event in marathon history.
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest marathon. Created in 1897, inspired by the success of the first marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, it has become a bucket list race for runners across the world. Today's podcast features two our of athletes, Jen Segerson and Patti Shea, who both ran their first Bostons and both BQ'ed, meaning they ran a time that is under the qualifying time for next year. We talk about how they got into Boston, how their training went, and then we go through race day. Next week, we dive into Amy's experience at Boston this year, as she went in coming off an injury with not many run miles under her belt, but ending up having a pretty awesome day. Part 2 will talk about mental toughness, cross training, and how to conquer Heartbreak Hill. Part 2 will also focus on setting your own goals to run Boston- and if you want to attempt to BQ or if you should run for a charity- or both! We know you will enjoy this recap with Patti and Jen, who had amazing days on the course!
On this episode I talk about the lead up to Boston Marathon and how the last few days went. Race day on Patriots Day was almost perfect, but Heartbreak Hill got the best. I briefly talk about London Marathon and OKC Marathon as they are coming up. Shout out to all OK Project athletes crushing the miles and races! If you all want to run a fast mile on the track, sign up for OCU Stars Mile Night. It will take place on May 19th @ Bishop McGuinness.
This episode of the podcast is with a longtime friend of the show, Jean Mike Remy. Remy was first on the show in episode 86 when he detailed is fantastic transformation into an endurance athlete. This episode is a far cry from that one. Yesterday Remy was part of a viewing party at the top of Heartbreak Hill on the Boston Marathon course doing what he loves: cheering and supporting fellow amateur endurance athletes. Then he and his viewing party, organized by the Pioneers and TrailblazHers running clubs and primarily consisting of BIPOC athletes, was targeted and surrounded by over a dozen police officers. Video of the experience went viral and many in the running community were aghast at the display. In this episode, Remy details his lifelong connection to Boston and the marathon, what happened that day, and his perspective on the intersection of the two. Follow Remy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_mr1derful Watch Remy's YouTube Channel and watch the video we discuss in this episode: www.youtube.com/@RemyBReel Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by UCAN nutrition which is powered to deliver steady, long lasting energy without the spike and crash. Add in UCAN Hydrate to get those electrolytes that you need to stay hydrated. Finally, you've got to try the award winning Edge energy gels - they are my go-to on the run. You will get 20% of all of your orders at ucan.co with code RAMBLING. _ _ _ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MLB – Major League Baseball Yesterday Chicago Cubs 10, Oakland Athletics 1 Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers, PPD to 4/18 Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox, PPD to 4/18 Guardians at Tigers, PPD to 4/18 – Another Tigers’ game postponed, DH vs Guardians on Tuesday The game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tigers scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of cold temperatures and high winds in the forecast a day after Detroit’s game against San Francisco was scrubbed. The Tigers announced that the Guardians game was postponed “out of an abundance of caution for player safety and fan comfort” and would be played as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 1:10 p.m. Monday’s announcement came about four hours before the scheduled first pitch, a day after the Tigers waited more than five hours to postpone their game with the Giants following light rain. Phillies at White Sox, PPD to 4/18 – Phillies-White Sox postponed, rescheduled for Tuesday DH The series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of high winds and cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday as part of a straight doubleheader, with the first game starting at 3:10 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 to 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game but not before 6:10 p.m. Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (0-1) will oppose Lance Lynn (0-1) in the first game, with left-hander Bailey Falter (0-2) facing Lucas Giolito (0-1) of the White Sox in the second game. Both teams entered Monday at 6-10 on the season. Cubs 10, A’s 1 – Patrick Wisdom hits 2 more homers as Cubs pound Athletics Patrick Wisdom hit two more homers and drove in four runs, leading Hayden Wesneski and the Chicago Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Wisdom, who played at nearby Saint Mary’s College, connected for a solo drive in the second inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. He has five homers during a four-game streak and eight homers on the season, tied for the big league lead. Ian Happ added three RBIs and Cody Bellinger had a career-high five hits as the Cubs won for the eighth time in 11 games. Tonight Cleveland (Gaddis 0-1) at Detroit (Boyd 0-1), 1:10 p.m. – Game 1 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 12:45 Cleveland (Battenfield 0-0) at Detroit (Rodriguez 0-2), 4:10 p.m. – Game 2 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM Philadelphia (Wheeler 0-1) at Chicago White Sox (Lynn 0-1), 4:10 p.m. – Game 1 Philadelphia (Falter 0-2) at Chicago White Sox (Giolito 0-1), 7:10 p.m. – Game 2 Chicago Cubs (Stroman 2-1) at Oakland (Waldichuk 0-2), 9:40 p.m. NHL – National Hockey League – 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Last Night Carolina Hurricanes 2, New York Islanders 1 (CAR leads 1-0) Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 1 (BOS leads 1-0) Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 – 2 OT (MIN leads 1-0) Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 – OT (LAK leads 1-0) Tonight New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7:00 p.m. (Game 1) Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (Game 1) Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. (Game 1) Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10:00 p.m. (Game 1) NBA – National Basketball Association Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Yesterday Philadelphia 76ers 96, Brooklyn Nets 84 (PHI leads 2-0) Sacramento Kings 114, Golden State Warriors 106 (SAC leads 2-0) Today Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics, 7:00 p.m. (BOS leads 1-0) New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. (NYK leads 1-0) Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m. (LAC leads 1-0) NFL – AP source: Hurts, Eagles agree to 5-year, $255M extension Jalen Hurts is set to sign one of the richest deals in NFL history, agreeing to a five-year, $255 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $179.3 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was not yet final. Hurts was rewarded for his breakout season in which he was named an AP NFL MVP finalist and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Boston Marathon – Boston Marathon sweep for Kenya, but not favorite Kipchoge Defending champion Evans Chebet has won the Boston Marathon again. He surged to the front at Heartbreak Hill to spoil the much-anticipated debut of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and win in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 54 seconds. Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in 2:21:38 to complete the Kenyan sweep. She is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters. The fastest ever fields in Boston included world record holders, Olympic and Paralympic medalists, winners of major marathons from 27 countries and a dozen Boston Marathon champions. Kipchoge, a 12-time major marathon winner, finished sixth in the slowest marathon of his career. MWL – Midwest League Baseball Last Night No games last night Tonight South Bend Cubs at Great Lakes Loons, 6:05 p.m. Lansing Lugnuts at Lake County Captains, 6:35 p.m. Dayton Dragon at West Michigan Whitecaps, 6:35 p.m. MHSAA – High School Sports Last Night Girls Soccer Fennville 4, Berrien Springs 1 New Buffalo 1, Brandywine 1 – TIE South Haven 4, Bridgman 0 Coldwater 8, Sturgis 0 Schoolcraft 8, Constantine 0 Tonight Baseball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake at New Buffalo, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Comstock at Bangor, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Softball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. River Valley at Howardsville Christian, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer Our Lady of the Lake at Wyoming Lee, 5:30 p.m. Bangor at Comstock, 6:00 p.m. Hartford at Marcellus, 5:30 p.m. Battle Creek Lakeview at Kalamazoo Central, 6:30 p.m. Portage Northern at Mattawan, 6:30 p.m. Vicksburg at Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m. Allegan at Kalamazoo Christian, 5:00 p.m. Lawton at Kalamazoo Hackett, 5:00 p.m. Coloma at Saugatuck, 6:00 p.m. Girls Tennis Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Galesburg-Augusta at Our Lady of the Lake, 4:30 p.m. Berrien Springs at Kalamazoo Hackett, 4:30 p.m. Track and Field Portage Northern at Lakeshore, 4:00 p.m. Boys Golf BCS Jamboree at Pine Ridge GC, Three Rivers, 4:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake, Howardsville Chr. New Buffalo, River ValleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MLB – Major League Baseball Yesterday Chicago Cubs 10, Oakland Athletics 1 Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers, PPD to 4/18 Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox, PPD to 4/18 Guardians at Tigers, PPD to 4/18 – Another Tigers’ game postponed, DH vs Guardians on Tuesday The game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tigers scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of cold temperatures and high winds in the forecast a day after Detroit’s game against San Francisco was scrubbed. The Tigers announced that the Guardians game was postponed “out of an abundance of caution for player safety and fan comfort” and would be played as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 1:10 p.m. Monday’s announcement came about four hours before the scheduled first pitch, a day after the Tigers waited more than five hours to postpone their game with the Giants following light rain. Phillies at White Sox, PPD to 4/18 – Phillies-White Sox postponed, rescheduled for Tuesday DH The series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of high winds and cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday as part of a straight doubleheader, with the first game starting at 3:10 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 to 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game but not before 6:10 p.m. Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (0-1) will oppose Lance Lynn (0-1) in the first game, with left-hander Bailey Falter (0-2) facing Lucas Giolito (0-1) of the White Sox in the second game. Both teams entered Monday at 6-10 on the season. Cubs 10, A’s 1 – Patrick Wisdom hits 2 more homers as Cubs pound Athletics Patrick Wisdom hit two more homers and drove in four runs, leading Hayden Wesneski and the Chicago Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Wisdom, who played at nearby Saint Mary’s College, connected for a solo drive in the second inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. He has five homers during a four-game streak and eight homers on the season, tied for the big league lead. Ian Happ added three RBIs and Cody Bellinger had a career-high five hits as the Cubs won for the eighth time in 11 games. Tonight Cleveland (Gaddis 0-1) at Detroit (Boyd 0-1), 1:10 p.m. – Game 1 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 12:45 Cleveland (Battenfield 0-0) at Detroit (Rodriguez 0-2), 4:10 p.m. – Game 2 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM Philadelphia (Wheeler 0-1) at Chicago White Sox (Lynn 0-1), 4:10 p.m. – Game 1 Philadelphia (Falter 0-2) at Chicago White Sox (Giolito 0-1), 7:10 p.m. – Game 2 Chicago Cubs (Stroman 2-1) at Oakland (Waldichuk 0-2), 9:40 p.m. NHL – National Hockey League – 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Last Night Carolina Hurricanes 2, New York Islanders 1 (CAR leads 1-0) Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 1 (BOS leads 1-0) Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 – 2 OT (MIN leads 1-0) Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 – OT (LAK leads 1-0) Tonight New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7:00 p.m. (Game 1) Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (Game 1) Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. (Game 1) Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10:00 p.m. (Game 1) NBA – National Basketball Association Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Yesterday Philadelphia 76ers 96, Brooklyn Nets 84 (PHI leads 2-0) Sacramento Kings 114, Golden State Warriors 106 (SAC leads 2-0) Today Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics, 7:00 p.m. (BOS leads 1-0) New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. (NYK leads 1-0) Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m. (LAC leads 1-0) NFL – AP source: Hurts, Eagles agree to 5-year, $255M extension Jalen Hurts is set to sign one of the richest deals in NFL history, agreeing to a five-year, $255 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $179.3 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was not yet final. Hurts was rewarded for his breakout season in which he was named an AP NFL MVP finalist and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Boston Marathon – Boston Marathon sweep for Kenya, but not favorite Kipchoge Defending champion Evans Chebet has won the Boston Marathon again. He surged to the front at Heartbreak Hill to spoil the much-anticipated debut of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and win in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 54 seconds. Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in 2:21:38 to complete the Kenyan sweep. She is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters. The fastest ever fields in Boston included world record holders, Olympic and Paralympic medalists, winners of major marathons from 27 countries and a dozen Boston Marathon champions. Kipchoge, a 12-time major marathon winner, finished sixth in the slowest marathon of his career. MWL – Midwest League Baseball Last Night No games last night Tonight South Bend Cubs at Great Lakes Loons, 6:05 p.m. Lansing Lugnuts at Lake County Captains, 6:35 p.m. Dayton Dragon at West Michigan Whitecaps, 6:35 p.m. MHSAA – High School Sports Last Night Girls Soccer Fennville 4, Berrien Springs 1 New Buffalo 1, Brandywine 1 – TIE South Haven 4, Bridgman 0 Coldwater 8, Sturgis 0 Schoolcraft 8, Constantine 0 Tonight Baseball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake at New Buffalo, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Comstock at Bangor, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Softball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. River Valley at Howardsville Christian, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer Our Lady of the Lake at Wyoming Lee, 5:30 p.m. Bangor at Comstock, 6:00 p.m. Hartford at Marcellus, 5:30 p.m. Battle Creek Lakeview at Kalamazoo Central, 6:30 p.m. Portage Northern at Mattawan, 6:30 p.m. Vicksburg at Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m. Allegan at Kalamazoo Christian, 5:00 p.m. Lawton at Kalamazoo Hackett, 5:00 p.m. Coloma at Saugatuck, 6:00 p.m. Girls Tennis Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Galesburg-Augusta at Our Lady of the Lake, 4:30 p.m. Berrien Springs at Kalamazoo Hackett, 4:30 p.m. Track and Field Portage Northern at Lakeshore, 4:00 p.m. Boys Golf BCS Jamboree at Pine Ridge GC, Three Rivers, 4:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake, Howardsville Chr. New Buffalo, River ValleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MLB – Major League Baseball Yesterday Chicago Cubs 10, Oakland Athletics 1 Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers, PPD to 4/18 Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox, PPD to 4/18 Guardians at Tigers, PPD to 4/18 – Another Tigers’ game postponed, DH vs Guardians on Tuesday The game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tigers scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of cold temperatures and high winds in the forecast a day after Detroit’s game against San Francisco was scrubbed. The Tigers announced that the Guardians game was postponed “out of an abundance of caution for player safety and fan comfort” and would be played as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 1:10 p.m. Monday’s announcement came about four hours before the scheduled first pitch, a day after the Tigers waited more than five hours to postpone their game with the Giants following light rain. Phillies at White Sox, PPD to 4/18 – Phillies-White Sox postponed, rescheduled for Tuesday DH The series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of high winds and cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday as part of a straight doubleheader, with the first game starting at 3:10 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 to 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game but not before 6:10 p.m. Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (0-1) will oppose Lance Lynn (0-1) in the first game, with left-hander Bailey Falter (0-2) facing Lucas Giolito (0-1) of the White Sox in the second game. Both teams entered Monday at 6-10 on the season. Cubs 10, A’s 1 – Patrick Wisdom hits 2 more homers as Cubs pound Athletics Patrick Wisdom hit two more homers and drove in four runs, leading Hayden Wesneski and the Chicago Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Wisdom, who played at nearby Saint Mary’s College, connected for a solo drive in the second inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. He has five homers during a four-game streak and eight homers on the season, tied for the big league lead. Ian Happ added three RBIs and Cody Bellinger had a career-high five hits as the Cubs won for the eighth time in 11 games. Tonight Cleveland (Gaddis 0-1) at Detroit (Boyd 0-1), 1:10 p.m. – Game 1 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 12:45 Cleveland (Battenfield 0-0) at Detroit (Rodriguez 0-2), 4:10 p.m. – Game 2 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM Philadelphia (Wheeler 0-1) at Chicago White Sox (Lynn 0-1), 4:10 p.m. – Game 1 Philadelphia (Falter 0-2) at Chicago White Sox (Giolito 0-1), 7:10 p.m. – Game 2 Chicago Cubs (Stroman 2-1) at Oakland (Waldichuk 0-2), 9:40 p.m. NHL – National Hockey League – 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Last Night Carolina Hurricanes 2, New York Islanders 1 (CAR leads 1-0) Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 1 (BOS leads 1-0) Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 – 2 OT (MIN leads 1-0) Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 – OT (LAK leads 1-0) Tonight New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7:00 p.m. (Game 1) Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (Game 1) Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. (Game 1) Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10:00 p.m. (Game 1) NBA – National Basketball Association Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Yesterday Philadelphia 76ers 96, Brooklyn Nets 84 (PHI leads 2-0) Sacramento Kings 114, Golden State Warriors 106 (SAC leads 2-0) Today Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics, 7:00 p.m. (BOS leads 1-0) New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. (NYK leads 1-0) Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m. (LAC leads 1-0) NFL – AP source: Hurts, Eagles agree to 5-year, $255M extension Jalen Hurts is set to sign one of the richest deals in NFL history, agreeing to a five-year, $255 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $179.3 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was not yet final. Hurts was rewarded for his breakout season in which he was named an AP NFL MVP finalist and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Boston Marathon – Boston Marathon sweep for Kenya, but not favorite Kipchoge Defending champion Evans Chebet has won the Boston Marathon again. He surged to the front at Heartbreak Hill to spoil the much-anticipated debut of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and win in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 54 seconds. Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in 2:21:38 to complete the Kenyan sweep. She is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters. The fastest ever fields in Boston included world record holders, Olympic and Paralympic medalists, winners of major marathons from 27 countries and a dozen Boston Marathon champions. Kipchoge, a 12-time major marathon winner, finished sixth in the slowest marathon of his career. MWL – Midwest League Baseball Last Night No games last night Tonight South Bend Cubs at Great Lakes Loons, 6:05 p.m. Lansing Lugnuts at Lake County Captains, 6:35 p.m. Dayton Dragon at West Michigan Whitecaps, 6:35 p.m. MHSAA – High School Sports Last Night Girls Soccer Fennville 4, Berrien Springs 1 New Buffalo 1, Brandywine 1 – TIE South Haven 4, Bridgman 0 Coldwater 8, Sturgis 0 Schoolcraft 8, Constantine 0 Tonight Baseball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake at New Buffalo, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Comstock at Bangor, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Softball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. River Valley at Howardsville Christian, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer Our Lady of the Lake at Wyoming Lee, 5:30 p.m. Bangor at Comstock, 6:00 p.m. Hartford at Marcellus, 5:30 p.m. Battle Creek Lakeview at Kalamazoo Central, 6:30 p.m. Portage Northern at Mattawan, 6:30 p.m. Vicksburg at Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m. Allegan at Kalamazoo Christian, 5:00 p.m. Lawton at Kalamazoo Hackett, 5:00 p.m. Coloma at Saugatuck, 6:00 p.m. Girls Tennis Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Galesburg-Augusta at Our Lady of the Lake, 4:30 p.m. Berrien Springs at Kalamazoo Hackett, 4:30 p.m. Track and Field Portage Northern at Lakeshore, 4:00 p.m. Boys Golf BCS Jamboree at Pine Ridge GC, Three Rivers, 4:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake, Howardsville Chr. New Buffalo, River ValleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MLB – Major League Baseball Yesterday Chicago Cubs 10, Oakland Athletics 1 Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers, PPD to 4/18 Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox, PPD to 4/18 Guardians at Tigers, PPD to 4/18 – Another Tigers’ game postponed, DH vs Guardians on Tuesday The game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tigers scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of cold temperatures and high winds in the forecast a day after Detroit’s game against San Francisco was scrubbed. The Tigers announced that the Guardians game was postponed “out of an abundance of caution for player safety and fan comfort” and would be played as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 1:10 p.m. Monday’s announcement came about four hours before the scheduled first pitch, a day after the Tigers waited more than five hours to postpone their game with the Giants following light rain. Phillies at White Sox, PPD to 4/18 – Phillies-White Sox postponed, rescheduled for Tuesday DH The series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of high winds and cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday as part of a straight doubleheader, with the first game starting at 3:10 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 to 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game but not before 6:10 p.m. Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (0-1) will oppose Lance Lynn (0-1) in the first game, with left-hander Bailey Falter (0-2) facing Lucas Giolito (0-1) of the White Sox in the second game. Both teams entered Monday at 6-10 on the season. Cubs 10, A’s 1 – Patrick Wisdom hits 2 more homers as Cubs pound Athletics Patrick Wisdom hit two more homers and drove in four runs, leading Hayden Wesneski and the Chicago Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Wisdom, who played at nearby Saint Mary’s College, connected for a solo drive in the second inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. He has five homers during a four-game streak and eight homers on the season, tied for the big league lead. Ian Happ added three RBIs and Cody Bellinger had a career-high five hits as the Cubs won for the eighth time in 11 games. Tonight Cleveland (Gaddis 0-1) at Detroit (Boyd 0-1), 1:10 p.m. – Game 1 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 12:45 Cleveland (Battenfield 0-0) at Detroit (Rodriguez 0-2), 4:10 p.m. – Game 2 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM Philadelphia (Wheeler 0-1) at Chicago White Sox (Lynn 0-1), 4:10 p.m. – Game 1 Philadelphia (Falter 0-2) at Chicago White Sox (Giolito 0-1), 7:10 p.m. – Game 2 Chicago Cubs (Stroman 2-1) at Oakland (Waldichuk 0-2), 9:40 p.m. NHL – National Hockey League – 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Last Night Carolina Hurricanes 2, New York Islanders 1 (CAR leads 1-0) Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 1 (BOS leads 1-0) Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 – 2 OT (MIN leads 1-0) Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 – OT (LAK leads 1-0) Tonight New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7:00 p.m. (Game 1) Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (Game 1) Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. (Game 1) Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10:00 p.m. (Game 1) NBA – National Basketball Association Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Yesterday Philadelphia 76ers 96, Brooklyn Nets 84 (PHI leads 2-0) Sacramento Kings 114, Golden State Warriors 106 (SAC leads 2-0) Today Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics, 7:00 p.m. (BOS leads 1-0) New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. (NYK leads 1-0) Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m. (LAC leads 1-0) NFL – AP source: Hurts, Eagles agree to 5-year, $255M extension Jalen Hurts is set to sign one of the richest deals in NFL history, agreeing to a five-year, $255 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $179.3 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was not yet final. Hurts was rewarded for his breakout season in which he was named an AP NFL MVP finalist and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Boston Marathon – Boston Marathon sweep for Kenya, but not favorite Kipchoge Defending champion Evans Chebet has won the Boston Marathon again. He surged to the front at Heartbreak Hill to spoil the much-anticipated debut of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and win in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 54 seconds. Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in 2:21:38 to complete the Kenyan sweep. She is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters. The fastest ever fields in Boston included world record holders, Olympic and Paralympic medalists, winners of major marathons from 27 countries and a dozen Boston Marathon champions. Kipchoge, a 12-time major marathon winner, finished sixth in the slowest marathon of his career. MWL – Midwest League Baseball Last Night No games last night Tonight South Bend Cubs at Great Lakes Loons, 6:05 p.m. Lansing Lugnuts at Lake County Captains, 6:35 p.m. Dayton Dragon at West Michigan Whitecaps, 6:35 p.m. MHSAA – High School Sports Last Night Girls Soccer Fennville 4, Berrien Springs 1 New Buffalo 1, Brandywine 1 – TIE South Haven 4, Bridgman 0 Coldwater 8, Sturgis 0 Schoolcraft 8, Constantine 0 Tonight Baseball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake at New Buffalo, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Comstock at Bangor, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Softball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. River Valley at Howardsville Christian, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer Our Lady of the Lake at Wyoming Lee, 5:30 p.m. Bangor at Comstock, 6:00 p.m. Hartford at Marcellus, 5:30 p.m. Battle Creek Lakeview at Kalamazoo Central, 6:30 p.m. Portage Northern at Mattawan, 6:30 p.m. Vicksburg at Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m. Allegan at Kalamazoo Christian, 5:00 p.m. Lawton at Kalamazoo Hackett, 5:00 p.m. Coloma at Saugatuck, 6:00 p.m. Girls Tennis Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Galesburg-Augusta at Our Lady of the Lake, 4:30 p.m. Berrien Springs at Kalamazoo Hackett, 4:30 p.m. Track and Field Portage Northern at Lakeshore, 4:00 p.m. Boys Golf BCS Jamboree at Pine Ridge GC, Three Rivers, 4:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake, Howardsville Chr. New Buffalo, River ValleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MLB – Major League Baseball Yesterday Chicago Cubs 10, Oakland Athletics 1 Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers, PPD to 4/18 Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox, PPD to 4/18 Guardians at Tigers, PPD to 4/18 – Another Tigers’ game postponed, DH vs Guardians on Tuesday The game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tigers scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of cold temperatures and high winds in the forecast a day after Detroit’s game against San Francisco was scrubbed. The Tigers announced that the Guardians game was postponed “out of an abundance of caution for player safety and fan comfort” and would be played as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 1:10 p.m. Monday’s announcement came about four hours before the scheduled first pitch, a day after the Tigers waited more than five hours to postpone their game with the Giants following light rain. Phillies at White Sox, PPD to 4/18 – Phillies-White Sox postponed, rescheduled for Tuesday DH The series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox scheduled for Monday night was postponed because of high winds and cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday as part of a straight doubleheader, with the first game starting at 3:10 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 to 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game but not before 6:10 p.m. Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (0-1) will oppose Lance Lynn (0-1) in the first game, with left-hander Bailey Falter (0-2) facing Lucas Giolito (0-1) of the White Sox in the second game. Both teams entered Monday at 6-10 on the season. Cubs 10, A’s 1 – Patrick Wisdom hits 2 more homers as Cubs pound Athletics Patrick Wisdom hit two more homers and drove in four runs, leading Hayden Wesneski and the Chicago Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Wisdom, who played at nearby Saint Mary’s College, connected for a solo drive in the second inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. He has five homers during a four-game streak and eight homers on the season, tied for the big league lead. Ian Happ added three RBIs and Cody Bellinger had a career-high five hits as the Cubs won for the eighth time in 11 games. Tonight Cleveland (Gaddis 0-1) at Detroit (Boyd 0-1), 1:10 p.m. – Game 1 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 12:45 Cleveland (Battenfield 0-0) at Detroit (Rodriguez 0-2), 4:10 p.m. – Game 2 News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM Philadelphia (Wheeler 0-1) at Chicago White Sox (Lynn 0-1), 4:10 p.m. – Game 1 Philadelphia (Falter 0-2) at Chicago White Sox (Giolito 0-1), 7:10 p.m. – Game 2 Chicago Cubs (Stroman 2-1) at Oakland (Waldichuk 0-2), 9:40 p.m. NHL – National Hockey League – 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Last Night Carolina Hurricanes 2, New York Islanders 1 (CAR leads 1-0) Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 1 (BOS leads 1-0) Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 – 2 OT (MIN leads 1-0) Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 – OT (LAK leads 1-0) Tonight New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7:00 p.m. (Game 1) Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (Game 1) Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. (Game 1) Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10:00 p.m. (Game 1) NBA – National Basketball Association Playoffs – Round 1 (Best of 7) Yesterday Philadelphia 76ers 96, Brooklyn Nets 84 (PHI leads 2-0) Sacramento Kings 114, Golden State Warriors 106 (SAC leads 2-0) Today Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics, 7:00 p.m. (BOS leads 1-0) New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. (NYK leads 1-0) Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m. (LAC leads 1-0) NFL – AP source: Hurts, Eagles agree to 5-year, $255M extension Jalen Hurts is set to sign one of the richest deals in NFL history, agreeing to a five-year, $255 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $179.3 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was not yet final. Hurts was rewarded for his breakout season in which he was named an AP NFL MVP finalist and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Boston Marathon – Boston Marathon sweep for Kenya, but not favorite Kipchoge Defending champion Evans Chebet has won the Boston Marathon again. He surged to the front at Heartbreak Hill to spoil the much-anticipated debut of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and win in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 54 seconds. Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in 2:21:38 to complete the Kenyan sweep. She is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters. The fastest ever fields in Boston included world record holders, Olympic and Paralympic medalists, winners of major marathons from 27 countries and a dozen Boston Marathon champions. Kipchoge, a 12-time major marathon winner, finished sixth in the slowest marathon of his career. MWL – Midwest League Baseball Last Night No games last night Tonight South Bend Cubs at Great Lakes Loons, 6:05 p.m. Lansing Lugnuts at Lake County Captains, 6:35 p.m. Dayton Dragon at West Michigan Whitecaps, 6:35 p.m. MHSAA – High School Sports Last Night Girls Soccer Fennville 4, Berrien Springs 1 New Buffalo 1, Brandywine 1 – TIE South Haven 4, Bridgman 0 Coldwater 8, Sturgis 0 Schoolcraft 8, Constantine 0 Tonight Baseball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake at New Buffalo, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Comstock at Bangor, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Softball St. Joseph at Mattawan, 4:00 p.m. Lakeshore at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m. Benton Harbor at Buchanan, 4:15 p.m. Eau Claire at Michigan Lutheran, 4:15 p.m. River Valley at Howardsville Christian, 4:15 p.m. Bridgman at South Haven, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Portage Northern at Battle Creek Central,4:00 p.m. Three Rivers at Edwardsburg, 4:00 p.m. Plainwell at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m. Watervliet at Allegan, 4:30 p.m. Coloma at Fennville, 4:30 p.m. Schoolcraft at Constantine, 4:30 p.m. Saugatuck at Holland Black River, 4:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Christian at Lawton, 4:30 p.m. Delton-Kellogg at Martin, 4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer Our Lady of the Lake at Wyoming Lee, 5:30 p.m. Bangor at Comstock, 6:00 p.m. Hartford at Marcellus, 5:30 p.m. Battle Creek Lakeview at Kalamazoo Central, 6:30 p.m. Portage Northern at Mattawan, 6:30 p.m. Vicksburg at Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m. Allegan at Kalamazoo Christian, 5:00 p.m. Lawton at Kalamazoo Hackett, 5:00 p.m. Coloma at Saugatuck, 6:00 p.m. Girls Tennis Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m. Galesburg-Augusta at Our Lady of the Lake, 4:30 p.m. Berrien Springs at Kalamazoo Hackett, 4:30 p.m. Track and Field Portage Northern at Lakeshore, 4:00 p.m. Boys Golf BCS Jamboree at Pine Ridge GC, Three Rivers, 4:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Lake, Howardsville Chr. New Buffalo, River ValleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The end of the season is in sight for IL's Terry Foy and Nick "Sprinter, Not a Marathoner" Ossello, and they start by discussing the Big Ten matchups — Maryland's win at Rutgers, Hopkins' victory vs. Ohio State and Penn State's comeback in Ann Arbor — as there is now just one week left in the B1G regular season. They touch on Duke's extended winning streak vs. Virginia — and the game's crazy finish — then dive into Syracuse's comeback over Carolina. They wrap by dissecting the Big East, including Georgetown's overtime triumph at Marquette and Denver's two-game swing that required coming from behind to beat St. John's.
Paweł Myśliwiec - prezes POLSKA Running Team i maratończyk, uczestnik trzech bostońskich maratonów, w tym jednego wirtualnego opowiedział na antenie Radia RAMPA o różnych ciekawostkach i wydarzeniach na przestrzeni 127 lat trwania maratonu bostońskiego.Czy wiecie, że w pierwszym bostońskim maratonie w 1897 roku wystartowało zaledwie 15 biegaczy i był to rewanż za przegraną z nowojorczykami? Dlaczego dwa razy odwołano maraton w Bostonie? Dlaczego organizowany jest zawsze w 3. poniedziałek kwietnia, a nie w niedzielę, jak inne "majorsy"? Jakie wydarzenie przyczyniło się do nazwania wzniesienia na trasie maratonu Heartbreak Hill? I jak kobiety wybiegały sobie dopuszczenie ich do biegowego współzawodnictwa. O tych i innych ciekawostkach opowiedział tegoroczny bostoński maratończyk Paweł Myśliwiec.Zapraszamy do wysłuchania wywiadu o najstarszym i uznawanym za najbardziej prestiżowy maratonie świata.
Aren & Élise by Ettenig SayamIs passionate love reserved exclusively for the young? Can a mature woman in the second act of her life not only shed old skins but can she utterly transform like a caterpillar into a butterfly? Is intimacy a spiritual journey? This is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Abraham and Sarah.Aren Karajian is a widowed sixty-two-year-old solar technology engineer, originally from Armenia. Élise Douchet is a fifty-year-old French teacher at a Boston prep school. She grew up in Montreal, Canada but is originally from French Saint Martin and Haiti. Élise comes to terms with turning 50 by going on a hiking retreat in Vermont. She falls during a morning hike. Aren quickly discovers that the grey-haired woman he rescues is really quite striking and exotic. He is smitten. A dogged pursuit ensues. A sultry romance flourishes. A miracle happens.Can a miracle upend your life and shatter your relationship? In the Boston Marathon, you must go through Heartbreak Hill to finish the race. So it is for Aren and Élise. Follow Aren and Élise as they embark on their couple's journey, and make decisions that will alter the course of their relationship, and shed light on the real meaning of life and commitment.Ettenig Sayam is a second generation Haitian. Her parents came to the United States during the early days of the Civil Rights movement. Ettenig grew up in New Jersey where she attended Catholic schools and later attended Drew University, a Methodist College. She studied French and eventually did a year study in Tours, France and later two years in Paris to pursue a Master's Degree in French as well as teach. Ettenig is married with two children and a dog. She lives in Massachusetts where she worked many years in the financial services industry as a compliance professional. She practiced law and did pro bono work. She now divides her time between learning chocolate making and bee keeping and taking on occasional legal assignments.https://www.amazon.com/Aren-%C3%89lise-Ettenig-Sayam/dp/1998784681/ref=monarch_sidesheethttps://inksandbindings.com/http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/31623open1.mp3
Video available on our YouTube channel "SKULLBELLZTV" Carly Kovacik is an NPC Women's Physique Competitor currently in preparation for the 2023 Emerald Cup in Bellevue, WA, a marathon runner, mountain climber, close friend and client. Check out EPISODE 108 for our recap of the last two shows Carly and Colt competed in together! Time Stamps: 00:39 koh-VAY-chik 02:35 Introductions & opening prayer (Hebrews 12:1-2) 09:00 SPRINTING: Where it all began! 21:24 Hand-written words of impact from Carly's running coach. 26:40 Training for 5k and 10k races. 36:42 Training for HALF-MARATHONS. 43:44 Carly's nutrition training for MARATHONS vs. training for BODYBUILDING. 45:38 How Carly's dad have her motivation to LIFT to compliment RUNNING. 53:00 Qualifying for the BOSTON MARATHON! 58:21 Carly's QUAD training leading up to the Boston Marathon. 1:01:11 “Heartbreak Hill:” 75% of the way through the Boston Marathon and almost having to drop out. 1:04:16 What to do IMMEDIATELY after a long run (don't sit!) 1:10:21 How to PACE YOURSELF for a marathon. 1:16:00 LEGACY: The impact of an encouraging FATHER. 1:21:07 How to identify your ideal pair of RUNNING SHOES. 1:26:02 Colt & Zion's current marathon training update & bodybuilding split. 1:32:11 Does running cause muscle loss specifically in the THIGHS? 1:35:05 How running can benefit aesthetics, even for competitive bodybuilders. 1:38:49 Why Carly is competing in bodybuilding, future competition plans, and next steps! SUPERSETYOURLIFE.COM is a HEALTH-FIRST movement dedicated to empowering your aesthetic journey, specializing in KETO-CARNIVORE nutrition and BODYBUILDING coaching plans. Book your free 15-minute phone consultation with Coaches Colt & Taylor: https://calendly.com/ssyl/meet-greet or text “coaching” to (206) 743-1346 THANK YOU to our SPONSOR CELTIC SEA SALT®:https://supersetyourlife.com/collections/supplements
Haggai 2:1-5
Haggai 2:1-5
Australia's longest-running women's football podcast (est. April 2019). History: Heather Garriock, Matildas Cap 108 Matildas Debut: 1999 (played for the national team until 2011) Grassroots Club: Leppington Lions (Macarthur) Appearances: 130 (20 goals) Position: Midfielder Olympic Games (2000, 2004) FIFA Women's World Cup (2003, 2007, 2011) 2010-2011 W-League Goal of the Year Award 2002-2003 Julie Dolan Medalist Inducted into Football Australia Hall of Fame earlier this year Canberra United Coach Football Australia Non Executive Director CEO Australian Taekwondo Listen in for the full interview with Heather. Hot Topics & News World-leading football identity Ebru Köksal, CFA, appointed to board of Australian Professional Leagues | Football Australia Tameka Yallop departs West Ham for SK Brann Kvinner (Norway) Emma Checker to Umeå IK FF (Sweden) Polly Doran to Crystal Palace 2026 Asian Cup - Four member associations have signalled their intention to bid with the final decision expected in 2023 Matildas AFF U18 Women's Championship - Junior Matildas are the Champions, defeating Vietnam 2-0 in the final U20 WWC: Game 1 Australia v Chile Thursday August 11th @ 12pm Dub News & Signings Brisbane Roar renew Shea Connors Wellington Phoenix - Isabel Gomez recommits to the Nix Western United announce Alana Černe as first signing Around the World UK FA WSL - Starts September 11th Scottish WPL (1 of 22) - Season Dates: August 7th 2022 - March 13th 2023 Results Celtic FC (Jacynta Galabadaarachchi) 9-0 Hibernian - Jacynta started, played 55 minutes and scored a hat trick! Glasgow City (Aoife Colvill) 7-0 Spartans Europe France - D1F (22 rounds): Season Dates: September 10th 2022 - June 10th 2023 Italy - Serie A (18 rounds tbc) Season Dates: August 27th 2022 - February 25th 2023 Serbian Women's Super League - ZFK Spartak Subotica (Vesna Milivojević) start their season on 21 August with a UWCL qualifier against either Brann (Norway) or ALG Spor (Turkey) Nordic Norway – Toppserien Round 15 Sweden – Damallsvenkan Round 16 starts next weekend Denmark - Elitedivisionen Round 1 US – NWSL: Regular season finishes October 3rd 2022 State Football ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC Queens of the Week Eric - 1) Former Western Sydney Wanderers and Blacktown Spartans player Alix Roberts got married on the weekend 2) Glasgow City's Irish forward Clare Shine had a perfect start to the SWPL season, scoring a hat trick in City's 7-0 win over Spartans Steffen - The Tarantos... tuned into the Nike FC Cup final to get a first look at Grace Taranto and Holly Murray, to find there were three Tarantos across both squads! ... plus listen in for QotW from Molly and Maj
«DAS SCHNELLSTE RENNEN DER SCHWEIZ - DAS IST DAS ZIEL!» Der Ironman Zürich wurde 2020 nach Thunverlegt, damit war es auch für die Triathlon-Rennen über die kürzeren Distanzen vorbei. Am 26.6.2022 gibt es mit dem Zc3 ein Comeback für den Triathlon auf Zürcher Stadtboden. Es werden Rennen sein, die jeden ansprechen, weil fast ohne Höhenmeter oder mit einem sanften Schwimmausstieg im Sandstrand. Für den OK-Chef Dani Andreolla (34) ist der Event auch eine Herzensangelegenheit: Er ist in Kilchberg in der Nähe vom Heartbreak-Hill, einer der Schlüsselstellen des IM Zürich, aufgewachsen und stand schon als kleiner Junge mit grossen Augen an der Strecke. Es blieb für ihn nicht beim Wasserreichen für die Athleten, es nahm selbst 8-mal am Ironman Zürich teil! ... __________________ Website von TriStory: https://tristory.news.blog/ __________________ Kontakt: tristory@gmx.ch __________________ TriStory ist auch auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tristory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tristoryCH Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabine-klapper-16b8a91a2 ____________________ Host Sabine Klapper findet ihr auch auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribine/ ____________________ TriStory ist für die Hörerinnen und Hörer kostenlos - und wird es auch bleiben. Darum freue mich über jede finanzielle Unterstützung. Details hier: https://tristory.news.blog/unterstutzung/ oder: IBAN-Zahlungsinfos Empfänger: Sabine Klapper Verwendungszweck: Podcast Kontonummer: 3500-5.224765.9 IBAN: CH89 0070 0350 0522 4765 9 ______________________________ Den Zürich City Triathlon findest Du hier: https://zurichcitytriathlon.ch/
What's the toughest physical challenge you've ever taken up? How hard did you train? What was the reason for attempting it? How difficult was it day of? Well in this episode of Bull in the Basement meet Jackey Deschamps. Wife, mother of 3, airline employee, and yes marathon hobbyist. She's raced in Buffalo, Disney, and now one of the crown jewels, Boston. Her first climb of Heartbreak Hill and the challenges she faced pre-race are great stories. The fact she finished the race and why is more incredible. Runners and non-runners come learn a few things and laugh along the way while hopefully being inspired as well. Please share, like, subscribe, and feel free to feedback. Enjoy and thx for your time in the basement!
Fire departments from several towns respond to a 6 alarm in Lawrence. A Native American family from Rhode Island is trying to share the history of Heartbreak Hill. Twitter is taking steps to block a takeover by Elon Musk. 5 minutes of news that will keep you in The Loop.
The Boston Marathon is coming up on Monday, and everybody's going to be talking about Heartbreak Hill. But did you know that a Rhode Islander is the reason it has that name? Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a member of the Narragansett Indian tribe, broke defending champion "Johnny" Kelley's heart when he beat him in the 1936 race.Tarzan won the Boston Marathon again in 1939 and was also an Olympic athlete. In this episode, we talk with his granddaughter, Anna Brown-Jackson, about his legacy and why he deserves a statue of his own. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Hamilton Today Podcast with guest host Scott Radley... The Around the Bay race is back as is Heartbreak Hill! Making his triumphant return to not just the race this weekend but also to 900 CHML is Mr. Ted Michaels!! Putin plans to make "unfriendly" nations pay for gas in rubles. What are the consequences going to be? We look at the results of yesterday's NATO meeting and as well as discuss what Canada's role in NATO is at this point in history. When Brian J. Karem last joined us, he was hours away from a flight to Europe. He has been traveling through Ukraine and Poland documenting the war and the stories of those involved. Canada has pledged to increase oil exports by up to 300,000 barrels per day in response to European supply shortages. Are the Oscars worth broadcasting anymore let alone having a glitzy ceremony? And every Friday night on The Scott Radley Show, Scott welcomes one guest to join him for the first hour and a half where a variety of topics gets covered on what's known as The Brightest Conversation in Hamilton. Tonight he continues that tradition for an extra long edition with Annette Hamm. Guests: Ted Michaels, Running enthusiast; Former D.J. of the 900 CHML News Room; Host, The Health and Wellness Show; Retired 900 CHML Anchor Eric Kam, Professor of Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics, International Monetary Economics, Implications of Monetary Growth, with Ryerson University Benjamin Zyla, Associate Professor, School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa, as well as a visiting scholar with the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University Brian J. Karem, Political Analyst for CNN, White House Reporter, Columnist for Salon.com and The Washington Diplomat, and host of ‘Just Ask the Question' Podcast, Author of the new book Free The Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for AffordableEnergy, Former Liberal MP Robert Thompson, Trustee Professor of television, radio and film; Director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University Annette Hamm, Co-Host, Morning Live, CHCH-TV See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 244 - Christine's Boston Marathon Recap “There is nothing like being in Boston during marathon weekend!” - Brian Prendergast“In-person races are back! Boston was my first big race since the pandemic, and I felt at ease with all of the new safety protocols and social distancing guidelines in place.” - Christine Conti Get ready for the hottest post-pandemic marathon news straight from the mouth of one Fit Crazie! Listen up as Christine recaps her experience running the 125th Boston Marathon and first big in-person event since the world went virtual. After an almost two year long hiatus from live events, the city of Boston did not disappoint. “The fans came out in droves, the Wellesley College girls were still screaming, and the Boston College students were as drunk and sloppy as ever once you got to Heartbreak Hill.” In this episode, Christine will walk you through what to expect before booking your next airline flights, riding public transportation, and navigating through large groups of people without feeling the least bit concerned or anxious. Hear about the new processes now in place for major races to be held around the globe, but be sure you don't forget your vaccination card or your negative Covid test results before picking up race bibs! As for Boston, while Christine discusses how strange it was to run this historic race in October with a 40% decrease in runners to allow for social distancing, there is still nothing like the Boston Marathon. If you are a runner, a running spouse, or simply just a fitness fanatic, put this on your bucket list! Be Boston Strong! Stay Fit! Stay Crazie!Christine and Brianwww.TwoFitCrazies.comtfcpro@twofitcrazies.com Website: www.TwoFitCrazies.com Facebook: Two Fit Crazies and a Microphone PodcastInstagram: @twofitcrazies#podcast #fitcrazie #BostonMarathon2021 #BostonStrong #Altra #Gatorade #Run #Marathon #MarathonPacing #PersonalBest #WellesleyCollege #BostonCollege #HeartbreakHill #NewtonRunningClub #Nike #JoeStrummer #YesYouCan #TeamHoyt #Believe #AnythingIsPossible
Dr. Kim Lannon recaps her running of the October Boston Marathon and discusses the outlooks and perspectives that are necessary to be successful on Heartbreak Hill and how we can apply them in day-to-day life.
We check-in with WBUR Reporter Yasmin Amer from Heartbreak Hill, on how spectators are experiencing the marathon differently this year.
The Boston Marathon is back in person after a virtual race last year. There may not be as many runners along the 26.2 mile course, but the spirit, enthusiasm, and passion are just as strong as ever. Shayna Seymour shares the stories of people putting miles on their bodies to raise money for local causes. She also reports on the history of the race and takes us to the scariest spot on the course: Heartbreak Hill. This episode was produced by Jesse Grossi and Ellen Fleming. Ellen Fleming also edits the podcast. Our managing editor is Julie Mehegan, and our executive producer is Nneka Nwosu Faison. You can also find us at Chronicle 5 on all social media and of course nightly at 7:30 on WCVB Channel 5. To watch this episode: Seg 1: “Working on healing by running the Boston Marathon as a member of The Herren Project team” Seg 2: “Mass. General Hospital nurse joins Team Dream Big for the 2021 Boston Marathon” Seg 3: “Blind marathoner overcomes adversity to compete in the Boston Marathon, alongside a guide” Seg 4: “PIONEERS Run Crew is on a mission to promote the sport of running in communities of color”
Hello to you listening in Oak Harbor, Washington!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds, your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that.Trekking up Heartbreak Hill the other day I was reminded that it was okay to stop a moment in the shade of a tree, breathe deep and take in the view. I didn't have to power up that steep unforgiving hill all at once. I was learning to forgive myself.You see when I was younger than I am now I stomped around making furious gestures pretty angry about everything and everyone and my lot in life.You know how they say, “When you're a hammer everything looks like a nail”? That was me. It didn't make for gentle living. Although sometimes it was satisfying to bash away.What happened next? Age, wisdom, experience, and a deep forgiveness. They say that “Forgiveness is a journey toward feeling whole.” I can tell you it's worked for me - maybe it will work for you, too.This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsProduction Team: Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts
It's never too late to find your passion in life! Though Shana Miller grew up in Framingham, MA on the Boston Marathon course and works today near Heartbreak Hill, she never ran until the age of 40. Shana met some girlfriend's at the gym, got inspired, and signed up for a 1/2 marathon 3 months from then realizing she had no idea what she was doing. She used a Hal Higdon training plan, ran all the training miles at the same pace, and finished the 1/2 marathon saying it was the hardest thing she had ever done—crying, emotional, and proud of her accomplishment. The next day she woke up and said, "when's the next one?" Shana was HOOKED! Her running journey has been filled with big challenges! We discuss: -Overcoming a missed medical diagnosis that sidelined her often over 18 months (piriformis syndrome) -A hysterectomy, hormones, hair loss, & depression -Hiring a coach (Victoria, @run4prs)—finding someone who believes in you, forging a partnership, & building a plan to stay healthy & strong -Being inspired to get her RRCA Coaching Certification to learn more about running & give back to the community "When I started running 10 years ago, that is what truly had me believing in myself, gave me confidence, and I started to become comfortable living in my own skin. Running has definitely shaped my life with a new perspective for self-image and how amazing our bodies are." Shana has cut an astounding 38 minutes off her marathon, and ran a 3:49 marathon PR at the Baystate Marathon, which would've easily been a BQ in any year but last year's historical 7:47 record cutoff. She has a big goal to run sub-3:40 at the Chicago Marathon, which would give her a 15 minute BQ cushion. I'm looking forward to seeing Shana make her dream come true! There is SO much inspiration in this one and I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as we did! If you enjoy the episode, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on. Connect With Shana: Instagram: @stilettorunning Website: https://www.stilettorunning.com Connect With Ron: Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com ---- Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com Email: david@inpostmedia.com Social: @_margittai © 2021 Ron Romano
Dave McGillivray is the race director of the Boston Marathon and 35 other international races. He is one of the most accomplished athletes in the world having completed 161 marathons and logged above 150,000 running miles. In this episode of Run With Fitpage, we get behind the scenes of the Boston Marathon and explore Dave's exceptionally inspirational running and life journey with our host Vikas Singh.Episode Summary:00:00 - Introduction - Vikas talks about Dave's top achievements03:47 - Welcoming Dave to the show!04:20 - How did the journey to becoming an athlete start - the defining moments, the concept of rejection14:00 - What motivated Dave to keep running - charity runs, and the story behind his philanthropic journey25:04 - What are some of the things Dave does differently every year to prepare for the Boston Marathon?30:41 - The secret to Dave's energy - running his own race33:30 - Dealing with a heart condition and making a comeback after a setback39:00 - The importance of a four-letter word - 'HOPE'41:30 - Runners in India45:46 - Questions from our listeners49:10 - Stories behind the Heartbreak Hill and Scream Tunnel56:44 - Dave's advice to runners57:52 - About the Fitpage appGuest Profile :In addition to being the race director of the Boston Marathon, Dave has organized over 1,400 mass-participation events since he founded DMSE Sports, in 1981. He has had numerous runs across the globe, raising funds for worthy causes close to his heart.He is an athlete with some of the greatest and hardest accomplishments in the sports world. Some of Dave's greatest accomplishments are completing the World Marathon Challenge in 2018 at the age of 64 and running the Boston Marathon for 48 consecutive years! Dave is a philanthropist, motivational speaker, and the President of DMSE Foundation which has helped raise over $200 million for children fighting cancer. For more information on Dave, visit his website http://dmsesports.com.Host Profile :Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale and Reliance before coming up with an idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and help beginners get on a fitness journey. An avid long-distance runner himself, Vikas is building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.For more information on Vikas, you can reach out to him via the channels below:Instagram: @vikas_singhhLinkedIn: Vikas SinghAbout the Podcast: Run with FitpageThis podcast series is built with a focus on bringing science and research from the endurance sports industry. These may help you learn and implement these in your training, recovery, and nutrition journey. We invite coaches, exercise scientists, researchers, nutritionists, doctors, and inspiring athletes to come and share their knowledge and stories with us. So, whether you're just getting started with running or want to get better at it, this podcast is for you!Learn more about fitness and nutrition on our website www.fitpage.inThis podcast has been recorded via Zoom Conferencing.
When every tire we ride is losing air and going flat . . . When there are miles to go in this day’s marathon but never knees enough to make the finish line . . . We wonder why our race is all about endurance, and little about joy. Ahead of us—some far ahead—are all the ones with bright and shiny faith—so sleek, so well-equipped, so sure. And we imagine this is how they always race because of gifts not given us. They breathe the air of heaven, so it seems, while we go panting in this smog of trouble and dejection. But there is one who traveled all our roads, who knows the drama of flat tires, and remembers His own Heartbreak Hill. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin” (Heb 4:15). And He is still content to travel at our pace. He knows that weariness and doubts don’t ever mean we are disqualified. For “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skillful” (Eccl 9:11). Grace travels with us when we ride, or run, or walk, or crawl. There is no stretch of road on which we ever are alone. So stay with grace. -Bill Knott
When every tire we ride is losing air and going flat . . . When there are miles to go in this day’s marathon but never knees enough to make the finish line . . . We wonder why our race is all about endurance, and little about joy. Ahead of us—some far ahead—are all the ones with bright and shiny faith—so sleek, so well-equipped, so sure. And we imagine this is how they always race because of gifts not given us. They breathe the air of heaven, so it seems, while we go panting in this smog of trouble and dejection. But there is one who traveled all our roads, who knows the drama of flat tires, and remembers His own Heartbreak Hill. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin” (Heb 4:15). And He is still content to travel at our pace. He knows that weariness and doubts don’t ever mean we are disqualified. For “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skillful” (Eccl 9:11). Grace travels with us when we ride, or run, or walk, or crawl. There is no stretch of road on which we ever are alone. So stay with grace. -Bill Knott
When every tire we ride is losing air and going flat . . . When there are miles to go in this day’s marathon but never knees enough to make the finish line . . . We wonder why our race is all about endurance, and little about joy. Ahead of us—some far ahead—are all the ones with bright and shiny faith—so sleek, so well-equipped, so sure. And we imagine this is how they always race because of gifts not given us. They breathe the air of heaven, so it seems, while we go panting in this smog of trouble and dejection. But there is one who traveled all our roads, who knows the drama of flat tires, and remembers His own Heartbreak Hill. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin” (Heb 4:15). And He is still content to travel at our pace. He knows that weariness and doubts don’t ever mean we are disqualified. For “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skillful” (Eccl 9:11). Grace travels with us when we ride, or run, or walk, or crawl. There is no stretch of road on which we ever are alone. So stay with grace. -Bill Knott
Our special guest this week is Lynn Chedham, who tells us how parkrun gave her strength and a place to feel comfortable. She explains how she went from being someone who hated exercise to becoming an avid parkrunner. Helen updates us on how plans are progressing ahead of the return of junior parkrun in Harrogate, England, and we hear more of your names for parts of your local parkrun.
The 179th installment of The Scho Show begins with a discussion of...the Boston Marathon. Do not panic. Mark Schofield has not rebranded as a marathoner or as someone covering the world of marathoning. No, the discussion begins this way to remind everyone that the NFL off-season is a marathon, and not a sprint. We have not yet reached Heartbreak Hill, and are in fact no where close to it. What does this have to do with the New England Patriots? Well, they re-signed Cam Newton last week so... In the second half of the show...listener mocks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Lead Negotiator for the Government of the Philippines, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, takes us inside the peace talks that ended half a century of insurgency in the southern Philippines. She reveals how she worked to unify the positions of the army, police and political establishment on her own side and went on to find common ground with representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, an armed group that for decades had fought for more autonomy. She lays out the milestones towards peace, describing how the parties reached the point of no return “on Heartbreak Hill”, and explains why we must all be radical in the search for peace. Find out more about the https://www.hdcentre.org/osloforum/peacewriter-prize/ (Oslo Forum Peacewriter Prize). We love to hear your feedback - take our https://0lotay3liy7.typeform.com/to/BszSNdLf (1 minute listener survey).
Are you feeling worn out, tired and exhausted from the spiritual battle we are engaged in? Are you struggling at running the race that the Lord has set before you? It gets tough out there, but God gives us the strength that we need. I hope you are encouraged by todays episode!
Are you feeling worn out, tired and exhausted from the spiritual battle we are engaged in? Are you struggling at running the race that the Lord has set before you? It gets tough out there, but God gives us the strength that we need. I hope you are encouraged by todays episode!
There is an amazing new sculpture on Commonwealth Avenue. Carved out of a tree trunk, in mid-stride is a magnificent runner confidently bounding up Heartbreak Hill. I pass him every day on my way to Temple Emanuel and am always struck by how he never seems to run out of energy. A little more than 10 years ago, I ran a marathon. Well, “run” is perhaps too generous a word. I jogged for a super-long time until I crossed the finish line in what I had hoped would be under six hours. To this day, I am still not entirely sure what possessed me to do this. Every time I pass that tree trunk runner, I think back to my marathon. The tree trunk runner was carved to life in the middle of a global pandemic – at a time that the Boston Marathon has now been called off for a second season. The tree trunk runner is, by definition, rooted in place – stuck – on Heartbreak Hill, the hardest part of the route. Yet the sculptor filled him with eternal boundless positive momentum.
14 Junie 2020 - Heartbreak Hill by lewendewoordmidrand
Wassup Barbarian Warrior Love Doves!We are only 3 weeks away from Administrative Professionals Day! Which also lands on Earth Day! Earth, the ULTIMATE Administrative Professional. Except instead of a recycling bin beneath Her desk, She has an endless reservoir of world-destroying lava at her core! Now that's gonna cut through red tape. And concrete, and forests, and cities, and all things on land until it reaches the sea. But I digress.Hope your Quar or partial Quar is going relatively well, and that you are finding some moments to be outside in the Springtime air and April sunshine. To help you pass the time, rest assured the BNP is gonna continue pumping out quar content for y'all, at an increased rate. This episode is Part 1.5 of the BNP 3 Part quarantine series "Conquering the Pandemic of Fear. My guest this ep to help lead us through some techniques for conquering said fear is none other than the radiant and insightful podcaster Rose Gold, host of the Heartbreak Hill Podcast. Rose Gold joins the BNP to discuss her experience navigating the current events out in Minnesota, which was one of the first states to order a shelter in place order. We chat about some of the social intricacies of the pandemic, ways of making the best of the situation, tools for managing one's own time and energy, and we pontificate on some potential positive cultural outgrowths that may ensue in the wake of this collective trial. We then turn to Rose Gold's podcast, Heartbreak Hill, and examine how her upbringing, childhood and path through her life thus far has informed the through-lines and content of her pod. It's a great conversation with a lot of yummy brain snacks to munch on. Jump in and enjoy! Please rate and review both the BNP and Heartbreak Hill wherever you listen to podcasts! Spread the word and tell a friend! YOU are what allows us to grow our pods, pursue our passions and execute our artistic vision. Thank you for listening.Check Out Heartbreak Hill:on Facebook @ Heartbreak Hill Podcast, on Instagram @HeartbreakHillPodcast, and Rose Gold herself is on Twitter and Instagram @RoseGoldcoveredCheck Me Out Too Plz:The BNP is on Instagram @conantanner and on Facebook @ Barbarian Noetics with Conan Tanner.Email the pod @ barbarian.noetics@gmail.comIf you still have a consistent source of income and would like to support the BNP, you may do so at www.patreon.com/noetics and sign up for a monthly tier. You get bonus content when you sign up, and you can cancel at any time. Thanks y'all!TRACK LIST FOR THIS EPISODEDykotomi - Corvid Crunk (Official Intro Track for the BNP)The Matrix - "There Is No Spoon" SceneLos Ángeles - MituLiquid Bloom - Jaguar Dreaming (Medecina Mix)Entheogenic - Light Ocean BlueNitty Scott feat. Zap Mama - La DiasporaNitty Scott - Mango NectarSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/noetics)
Alecia Williams is an endurance athlete that suffered a major setback in her life during the Boston Marathon. She discusses what happened, and how she fought back to get up and running again. She is an inspiring athlete and has a great attitude.
Chicago! We headed to Heartbreak Hill Running Co. for a special live recording featuring Bowerman Track Club athletes Moh Ahmed, Ryan Hill and Evan Jager alongside Dan Fitzgerald, Chief Heartbreaker and Co-Founder of Heartbreak Hill Running Company. We spend the first couple minutes of the show marveling at Eliud Kipchoge's 1:59:40 marathon in Vienna. The guys share how long they think they would be able to hang with the GOAT and what impresses them the most about them. The guys share the stories about each of their respective starts in the sport, what got them hooked and then how they are using their own experiences to influence the next generation of runners through the Bowerman Track Club's programs with youth runners. Plus, they shed some insight into bridging the gap between the running community's general population and those who are knowledgable about the sport after a few days with Heartbreak Hill Running Co. Individually, Moh puts listeners in his shoes for his bronze medal run from the recent IAAF World Championships in Doha. Ryan Hill shares where he's been in 2019 and how overcoming an Achilles injury was able to set him up for 2020. Evan Jager details his injury-plagued year and what it was like to miss out on the world championships. All of that and more including the final four questions that we ask every guest, which yielded some incredibly funny anti-doping stories from the guys. ❤️ Support for this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast comes from THE FEED. You can curate your own package of product to support your training or try the CITIUS MAG package for yourself. There’s a great variety of options for drink mixes, food, chews, gels. It’s been a game-changer. Head over to thefeed.com to save 15% on a box curated by yours truly (the thefeed.com/citiusmag) or use the code CITIUS10 to save 10% on everything else storewide. ❤️ Also, protect your legs, nipples and arms with SQUIRREL'S NUT BUTTER. You can use promo code CITIUS20 for 20% off on all their anti-chafing products on their website. squirrelsnutbutter.com/ today. ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag instagram.com/citiusmag facebook.com/citiusmag ✩ Connect with Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez
Running The Marathon So, turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians Chapter 9, we resume now series in 1 Corinthians. So we've been walking through this incredible book. Pretty much all my life I've been fascinated by the longest race that there is, the marathon. I know there's ultra marathons, but I don't even know what to think about people that run 50 miles or 100 miles, that's in a whole other category. But the marathon has always been fascinating to me. Perhaps that's because I lived in Framingham, and it was the 6 mile mark, basically the 10K mark of the Boston Marathon, one of the most famous marathons in the world. And for free, you could watch that race, you just go downtown, Framingham. I could ride on my bike down there and stand with the crowd and watch some of the best athletes in the world just run by and for free, you got to see them for about 1.5 seconds, as they went right by, and there they went. So there you can see some of the best marathoners in the world and then you could stand and see some of the not best marathoners in the world that would run by you and that was kind of exciting. I remember at Wellesley College, where my sisters went to college, that was later in the race, and that was heading towards something called Heartbreak Hill. And I've never run a marathon, I ran cross-country growing up, the longest I ever competed was 25K, which is about a little short of 16 miles, that was long enough, but people... And they've been members of our church that I just hold in high esteem that have run the 26.2 miles, incredible. But I'm told that psychologically how it feels, the race is about half over at the 20 mile mark. That last six miles takes a level of dedication, a level, let's be honest, of suffering that is hard to even fully understand if you've never competed in that race. And it just so happens in the Boston Marathon, there's a series of three hills right at the 20 mile mark, from small to medium to the largest, it goes in that order. And people for some reason, line-up along Heartbreak Hill to watch them fall like flies. I really think a lot of the spectators there are to watch failure. I don't know what it is, but they're there to watch people drop out of the race. Others will say, no, not at all. We're there to encourage and say, you can make it. It's all downhill from here. But that's Heartbreak Hill. And so, for me, I have an attraction, a fascination to the level of dedication, the level of suffering it takes to run that race, and I follow the best in the world. And the records now are incredible. The best marathon in the world right now is a Kenyan named Eliud Kipchoge and he is training, he's in training right now to break the two-hour mark in the marathon. Some of you will just knowing that will be aghast that that is even possible. This man runs on average every mile faster than my best mile time. I ran one mile at a certain time, he runs every mile three seconds faster than that one race, so I couldn't keep up with him for one mile at my best, and that was when I was a lot younger. But this guy runs 4:38 a mile and just fast for every mile. And the training, the level of training that goes into that, it's been a lifetime of preparation, the culture in Kenya is a running culture different than we have here. They use it as transportation to get from place to place. This man runs an average of 110 to 120 miles a week in training and he never takes a day off. And the level of training is almost staggering. Now, that's true of every Olympic athlete, everyone that competes at a high level in a sport has to put in that level of dedication, of self-denial, of sacrifice to succeed in his or her sport, whatever it is, figure skating, skeet shooting, running, anything requires that level of dedication. Now, the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 uses that image, which was familiar to them back then, to urge all Christians to a similar pattern of self-denial for the glory of God, for the running of the race right to the end, to the upward calling of God, the heavenly prize in Christ Jesus. And in our day and age of constant alluring bodily temptations, of a lifestyle that tends toward comfort, and ease, we need to hear this call so that we can make progress in both the internal journey of holiness and the external journey of Gospel advanced through evangelism and missions. Both of those journeys kind of come together and meet in this text and this is a call on all of us to run. As a matter of fact, simply there is one command in this text, one imperative, run. In Verse 24, expanding a bit, so run or run in such a way that you may obtain it, that you may obtain the prize that's a command. The rest of it is just Paul using himself as an example on how we have to run. So this is a command to exertion, to self-denial for all of us, for the heavenly prize. And there is no better coach to yell at us than the Apostle Paul. There is no better drill instructor to come alongside us and give us the exhortations that we need to run this race with endurance. Now, here we have to just be cautioned a bit, because this is one of the most challenging passages in the Bible in terms of self-denial and discipline. And we need to understand salvation properly to understand this passage properly, we need to understand justification and sanctification and glorification, these stages of salvation properly. We need to understand that justification, the beginning of the Christian life, it starts with forgiveness of sin, the atonement of our sins, reconciliation with God, whereby we sinners are made right with a Holy God, and we are declared righteous, that is morally perfect in His sight, not by our own exertions, not by our own works but by simple faith in Christ. By His exertions, by his works, culminating in His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead, by that we are saved, not by our own exertions, not by our own running. We just need to know that again and again, it's so hard for us sinners to believe that, that we are forgiven by grace through faith in Christ alone. But having been forgiven, having begun the Christian life, we are then called on to run a race with endurance, and we're called on to run it to the very end, and the race from justification till death, or the second coming of Christ is called sanctification, a progressive growth in Christ-likeness through putting sin to death, and through habits of holiness that we acquire and development of Christian character, a Christian mindset that's the rest of the Christian life, and that takes exertion. It takes us denying ourselves, it takes us running a race with endurance, that's what we're talking about here. A race run to the end. And then glorification happens at the end of our lives, either at our own death or at the second coming of Christ, whereby in an instant we are made perfect and fit for Heaven, body, soul, and spirit, we are in every way conformed to Christ, that's the end of our salvation. And in that we will spend eternity radiantly glorious. Now if you don't understand salvation that way, this text could easily be misunderstood, you could be exhorted strongly and instead of being motivated you might be moved to despair, because you're comparing yourself to, other than Christ, I think probably the greatest spiritual runner there's ever been in the Apostle Paul. And it's easy to look at him and look at his level of dedication, his level of holiness, his level of sacrifice for the Gospel and say, I can't measure up to that and to give up and that's the very thing Paul's working against. He wants you to run, to run in such a way that you obtain the prize. And so, we need to understand that very plainly. I. Giving Up Rights and Privileges for the Sake of the Gospel So, Paul is calling on us to give up rights and privileges for the sake of the Gospel. Let's look at the context. It's been months since we looked at 1 Corinthians. So I just want to remind you where we're at in this incredible book. Paul is writing, he planted the church in Corinth. It was a gifted church, brothers and sisters in Christ, he loved them dearly, but they were pretty severely dysfunctional in a lot of levels. And so, he's got to address a bunch of topics, and we're in the middle of a bunch of topics that he's addressed. And in Chapters 8 through 10, in that three Chapter section he's addressing, big picture, the problem of their pagan religion, idolatry and the issues specifically of meat sacrificed to idols, and what Christians should do about that difficult topic. And so, it's really three chapters of a complex answer to that question. So what was happening in Chapter 8 is the more doctrinally mature Corinthian Christians understood from the preaching, understood from the Word of God, that idols are nothing, stone, wood, metal, they're nothing. There's no reality there, that the pagan religion is nothing, that there is only one God, and that meat is just meat, it can't catch a spiritual disease and that Christ is declared all foods clean, and therefore we can eat whatever we want. But the problem was, they were flaunting their freedoms in such a way that other more not so doctrinally mature Christians were being harmed, their consciences were being violated, they were being led astray by these more mature knowledgeable Christians. Basic Principle: Love Limits Liberty when it comes to evangelism And so, Paul gives them a very clear principle in Chapter 8 Love limits liberty. It's not all about your freedoms, what you get to do, what you want to do, but you need to look around at the consequences, and people are watching you and you need to care about your brothers and sisters, and just because you can eat and it doesn't damage you, what about people who are watching you? And so, he's addressing that, and so, if you love your brothers and sisters, you need to care what they're thinking, as they watch you. And then he uses himself as an example, of how love limited his own liberties. In Chapter 9 he talked about money being paid for ministry. And he said, I have the right to receive a salary for preaching the Gospel, the Lord has ordained that those who preach the Gospel should make their living from the Gospel. But I don't use that right. I don't take any money for my church planting, so I have that freedom to do that, but I don't use it. And then he goes beyond that, and broadens it, and he says, Actually, I turn my back on all of my freedoms. When it comes to food and cultural things and personal preferences to the Jews. I became like a Jews to win the Jews, so I ate the foods they ate, I kind of fit into the Jewish culture to win the Jews to the pagans to the gentiles, the Greeks to those not having the law. I became like one not having a law. Not in immorality, not all, but in cultural issues that separated the Jews from Gentiles, I just became like a gentile to win the Gentiles. I become all things to all people. So by all possible means, I might save some and I do this so that I might share in the benefits of the Gospel, I want a fruitful harvest. And so that's the context here. And the basic principle is love limits liberty when it comes here, first and foremost, linking it backward linking it here, love limits liberty when it comes to evangelism and missions. If you want to be fruitful in winning lost people you're going to have to deny yourself at some level, you're going to have to say no to what you prefer. If you live for your personal preferences in food and clothing, and culture and lifestyle you're not going to have a very fruitful life as an evangelist, or a missionary, you will not have much fruit. So if you ask Paul, Paul which do you prefer? Jewish food, or Gentile food? He would answer. I prefer whatever food would be maximally fruitful, for the Gospel at that moment. That's what I prefer. He would answer that way. Reminds me of something that George Mueller, the great leader in caretaking 1000 orphans in 19th century England, just a godly man, godly pastor, a man of faith, George Mueller, he said this though, this incredible statement, he made, "There was a day I died, utterly died to George Mueller, to his opinions, preferences, tastes and will, died to the world, its approval or censure, died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and my friends. And since that day I have studied only to show myself approved unto God." Intensely vertical, but first and foremost, started with himself. I died to me. I died to George Mueller, I died to what I prefer day-by-day. We all have preferences, we all have taste, we all have desires, stuff we like. Everybody does, that's God gave us those tastes and desires, those amoral pleasures, those are part of the richness of life that God's given us and He wants us to enjoy those amoral diverse pleasures and give glory to God. But if you make an idol of those things, if they become uppermost in your own affections then you will not have much fruit to show when it comes to winning others. Patrick Lai, who wrote a book on tent making, which is using business for mission, spoke of the food issue for himself when it came to missions. This is what he wrote: "In seminary, we learned the slogan, 'Where He leads I will follow, what He feeds I will swallow.' Food is a major issue, many argue that eating the local cuisine is not a big deal. But consider, if foreigners came to your country and if they rejected your national dishes how would you feel? As Americans, perhaps if we invite an international for a Thanksgiving dinner and they say, they hate turkey, and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, are we likely to invite them again the next year? To reject a person's food is to reject the person. Having grown up in a Midwestern American city, I never ate spicy food, but when we moved to Asia, I quickly realized that the people there loved hot chili peppers, on almost every dish. So what did I do? Stop eating? No. I simply trained myself to eat spicy food by going out and eating the hottest food I could find for several weeks. It was hard, I hated it, I felt sick to my stomach. However within a month, my taste buds adjusted, and my body adapted. Nowadays, I truly enjoy spicy food." Honestly, all over the world. Missionaries face these kinds of challenges. For me as some of you know, going to Japan, the problem was seafood, and I'm not changing. God gave me a special dispensation of grace for two years, and I prayed for it and God gave me the ability to actually enjoy Sashimi. Now, Sashimi, let me tell you something, it's not sushi, that's little bits of fish surrounded by other things, so you can survive that fine, but Sashimi is like a T-bone steak, of uncooked fish flesh with nowhere to hide right there on the plate. And I'll never forget the first time I sat at a restaurant, a Japanese man wanted to honor me for some things we had done in his house, we had helped them out in the missionary, we'd done some things, and he wanted to thank us and he thanked me with a bunch of raw fish flesh and there it was, and I said, Where now is the God of Elijah? So I said Please don't leave me now. But then I came to find out that Sashimi is super fresh in Japan, I would not advocate truck stop Sashimi here in the US. Not a good idea. But in Japan super fresh and almost flavorless. Pretty close to flavorless. Never bothered me that it wasn't cooked. What I liked was the Wasabi and the sudachi that you could dip it in. And the flavor of that sauce was good and it was a good... So for two years I enjoyed that. However, I never got so far as to enjoy what they call tako. It's not Mexican tacos, it's octopus. And the suction cups and the chewy demeanor, it's the gift that just keeps on giving. You can just enjoy tako for a long time. I never got used to it, and so I guess I wasn't there long enough. Patrick Lai would say, "That means you need to eat tako every day for a month and then you'll love it." The issue here, friends, is bigger than food. How much are you willing to be inconvenienced? To be put at a personal disadvantage for the sake of others? How are you willing to limit your liberties? You have the right to eat whatever you want, fine, but are you willing to give up that right for the sake of winning others? If we continue to stay safe in our bubbles of personal preference and comfort, choosing what we eat, what we watch, what music we like, what climate is best, what clothing looks best on us, if honestly, we live a life of me, we will not have much to show on judgment day, in terms of the Gospel. And we Americans are used to one of the highest standards of living in the world. We're used to air conditioning and central heat, we're used to very comfortable beds with something called a Sleep Number. I've heard, I've never used it, but you can dial in your personal comfort number, I guess, and then we're used to that. We're used to electronic entertainment. We're used to being continually connected with the rest of the world through wifi. We're used to personal transportation in America, especially the automobile to get in and go wherever you want at any points of the compass. Whenever you want. We're used to that. We're used to top-notch medical care, We're used to 911 in case we're in trouble, medical emergency and people will come and help us, We're used to roads that are almost continually worked on, so that there are not the kinds of pot holes that I've experienced in other countries. The types of damaged under the road that the government doesn't have the resources to continually repair. But we are used to a high level of treatment of the roads. We're used to credit card swipers, and chip readers and Walmart that has basically almost any physical thing you could want. And if it doesn't, Amazon Prime will bring it even faster than Walmart. And we're used to that lifestyle. Most of the world doesn't live that way. If we're going to be fruitful in global missions, we have to give up those kinds of preferences, and beyond that just within our own American culture as well. If we want to meet non-Christians, if we want to befriend them, get to know what's involved in their lives, you're going to have to make sacrifices. You're going to have to do things that you do not prefer to do. You have to open your home in hospitality. You have to do your hobbies, perhaps with other people, with non-Christians. You have to just change your lifestyle. If you just stayed within the Christian bubble you'll only know Christians and you won't be very impactful for eternity. And so you have to make habits, you have to make life choices for the sake of the Gospel. And if you decide to use your time, your energy, your money, your life for the sake of eternity, to as Jesus said, win friends for the gospel. He talks about winning friends in Luke 16:9. If you do that, you'll take up an entirely different way of thinking about your life. II. What is the Race? And Paul likens the sacrifices needed here, to running in a race. And he reaches for an image that the Corinthians would have been very familiar with. Look at verse 24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." So what is the race? The cultural context there was something called the Isthmian Games. There were two ancient games of competition back then, we're very familiar with the Olympic Games that were centered in Athens, but the Isthmian Games were centered in Corinth the second most popular and well-known in Ancient Greece and they included many contests, like chariot races, running, boxing, feats of strength, and he chooses two of the images from the Isthmian Games, running and boxing, and he uses it here in this text as well, and the Central Command, he gives here is run. You should run, run this race run in such a way that you may win that you can obtain the prize. He says, Everyone competes, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way that you get the prize. That's what he's saying, he's appealing to their competitive nature, a desire for excellence and achievement. Now, if I want to stop and pause and just say for a moment, what's amazing is as I've meditated about heaven and rewards, I have come to realize we are going to celebrate other people's rewards as though they were our own, that we are going to be so one so that in 1 Corinthians 12:24, it says, If one part of the body is honored, the whole body is honored with it. So we're not in competition actually with each other. If we were, I wouldn't be preaching the sermon I'd keep my secrets to myself on how I'm planning on running the race, and you all are just on your own. But I believe that my reward is wrapped up in yours and that the more I help you be rich on Judgment Day, the better for me as well, I will celebrate your rewards, you'll celebrate mine, we will be so set free from me in heaven, we will just be celebrating each other's honors. And so there is a competitive aspect here but we're not actually competing against each other, we're competing against a common enemy, the world, the flesh, the devil, that's what we're all competing against, not against each other. So we should help each other be as rich as possible, in rewards. Now, what is the race? Well, in this context as we follow his train of thought right up into 24-27, these verses the context here seems to be evangelistic or missions. Winning lost people, becoming all things to all people. So that by all possible means, we might save some. So saving lost people. That's what's in Paul's mind. And he says, uses this language in Acts 20-24. "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me, the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace." So Paul considers his Evangelistic mission to be a race that he's running, and he's challenging the Corinthians to run as well. However, the whole Christian life in other scriptures, is presented similarly as a race to be run. Paul says at the end of his own life, in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." And it's very similar. The fighting and running analogy is just like in our text here. He's talking about his own Christian life, he's reached the end of his Christian life. And then more openly, the author to Hebrews says, plainly in Hebrews 12, "Since we're surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race marked out before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." So there the whole Christian life is a race and we're called on to run to the end. So frankly, I think it's both, friends, it's the external journey, winning lost people, and it's the internal journey of holiness. How do I know that? Well, if you go on, if you remove the chapter division between Chapter 9 and 10 and just go right on, he's going to go on in the next chapter immediately linked by the words, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers…" he goes right into lessons from Israel's history and he says... Do you not realize that lots of Jews began the journey, but only some of them finished, and frankly most of them died in the desert, they didn't make it because of idolatry. So he's talking about holiness, he's talking about sin and temptations and all that. So there's a perfect connection here between the external journey of winning the lost, and the internal journey of making certain you make it all the way to Heaven by fighting sin. And they both come together in this one text of running the race, so it's not either or, it's both. The two races really in the end are of the same, the internal race of holiness and the external race of evangelism. What do we think we're doing with evangelism missions? We're calling on dead people to begin to run a race, and to obey every commandment that Christ has given them, that they would be in running that race. The two journeys are really just one and they come together here. III. What Is the Prize? And so what is the prize? He says, "Don't you know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way that you may get the prize." Verse 25. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training, they do it to get a crown that will not last. We do it to get a crown that will last forever." What is the prize? What is the crown? Well, in the Isthmian Games, the prize was a wreath that would be woven together from some living vine maybe, some olive branches that we've woven together or maybe some pine, a garland, that was then set on the head of the victor to the cries and adulations of the crowd, they're all... And it's put there on their heads. Paul calls it a corruptible wreath, it's corruptible, it begins to fade the moment it's cut from the branch. Probably won't look that great the next day. And the athletes knew that. They'd seen it, maybe they won last time three years ago and they're going to go again, they know what's going to happen, but what they want are the cries and cheers of adulation, honor that come from their fellow citizens. But frankly even that goes away, even that echoes and then disappears. The modern Olympic Games were restarted in 1896 in Athens. I looked this up. I didn't know... Do you know how many gold medals, Olympic gold medals, have been awarded since 1896? I know you don't know, but I didn't either. So here's the answer: 18,553, gold medals. Now, I was amazed that there were that many. They're actually not all that uncommon except that there's billions of people and very rare do people win gold medals. But honestly, I don't know who won the gold medal in 1956 in skeet shooting, I don't know who won even the marathon that year. It disappears. They're running a race to get a crown that will not last, we're running to get a crown, he says that will last forever. And so here, this dovetails with Jesus' teaching. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So that's the crown, it's praise from God it's, "Well done, good and faithful servant," it's the crown of achievement of having served God faithfully in this life. James 1:12, says this: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him." So just making it to the end of the Christian journey, there's a crown of life awarded. But then Paul talks about his church planting efforts. And he frequently calls the churches he planted, and the people that he won to Christ, his crown, 1 Thessalonians 2, he says, "What is the hope, the joy and the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord when He comes. Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and our joy." So Paul says the Thessalonian Christians that he won to faith in Christ, they are his crown. And so that's the crown. IV. How Should We Run? So how should we run? Well, Paul gives the secret to winning the prize and that is self-control in everything. Stern self-denial of the body. Look at verse 25, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things." So for a world class athlete, there is no area of life off limits for their trainer, for their coach. Everything is worth discussing. So that would include everything they eat, everything they drink when and how long they sleep, all, of course, all of their exercises, what they're doing. How much lifting, how much flexibility, how much all of these things. So when it comes to eating amounts, nutritional value, caloric intake, protein, fats, carbohydrates, everything. Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, actually eats something called avocado ice cream. And some of you are like, "What is the point? If you're going to eat avocado ice cream, better not to eat it," but apparently he finds something delicious in it. But for him that's what's been necessary to keep his body ready to compete. I was reading a number of years ago, a basketball player name Hakeem Olajuwon was a very, very good player, but he just wasn't reaching his potential and he said for him it was really when he gave up ice cream that he reached another level because that became just a symbol of a whole life of self-denial of discipline that was required, and then he started playing at the highest level. So that's the way it is for athletes. Everything, sleep patterns, all of that, but for us Christians it expands. Body counts, what you do with your body, what you eat, how much you sleep, all of those things matter, your exercise patterns. But we're talking about body, soul, and spirit, everything, the mind, the heart. And so we have to discipline ourselves not only physically, but mentally, spiritually, so that we can grow in grace in the knowledge of Christ. And Paul actually it seems takes a violent approach here. Look at Verse 26-27, "I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave." That's one translation. Another translation says, "I discipline my body and bring it under strict control so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified." So I looked up the Greek words. These are very severe in the one translation. Beat my body make it my slave, the Greek for beat my body is literally to strike beneath the eye or to give a black eye to. Metaphorically to brow-beat or to annoy greatly provoke or irritate. So Paul annoys his body, he irritates it, frustrates it. Now he talks against harsh treatment of the body in other places. He's not talking about a literal beating here like wearing a hair shirt or self-flagellation, like some people did in the Middle Ages. He's not talking about that, he's really talking about his flesh, his bodily drives that the flesh pushes to, where you have normal bodily drives, but they're pushed beyond boundaries that God's Word has set up, that's what the flesh does. And so, it's normal to want to eat dessert, that's a normal thing. The flesh pushes beyond to the second and third helping. So Paul says I irritate my flesh, I frustrate my flesh by pushing away from the table at that point. It's normal to sleep a right amount of time, so your body's refreshed and renewed, but all of us have an inner sluggard that we want that extra time asleep, more than we need. Many Americans are sleep-deprived, I'm not talking about that, but I'm saying, we're talking about getting that extra hour. I frustrate my flesh. Paul says, I get up when it's time to get up. When it comes to the sexual drive, it's normal for a husband and wife to desire to be together in marital relations, but the flesh pushes beyond boundaries that God has set up, those boundaries into sexual immorality, And so the text is calling on you to frustrate your flesh, to irritate it and push away from temptation and sexual immorality, to deny it and put it to death. So that's the first phrase. The second is make it my slave, it's literally in the Greek lead into servitude. So I lead my body into serving what? Serving Christ, serving my mind as it's led by Scripture. This is friends, this is the language of war. That's what he's talking about here and he talks about this war very plainly in Romans 7:22 and 23, he says, "In my inner being, I delight in God's law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will set me free?" There is a war going on inside. We all know what we're talking about here, we know a battle against lusts. Galatians 5:17 says, "The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh. These are waging war against each other, they're in opposition to each other so that you do not do what you want." So Paul combines these images, he's actually boxing while running a marathon, But he's boxing himself. And he has a goal, his goal is to complete the race that God laid out in front of him. Let me quote this again, Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me." Of internal holiness and external witnessing to lost people. That's what I want to do. So that's his goal. And he says "I'm not running like a man running aimlessly." So we have a device in our home called a Roomba. Have you ever heard of these things? These robots that vacuum. I do not understand it. I don't understand what it does, this is what happens. It's got little bumpers and sensors that cause it to go as far as it can in one direction and then turn somewhere and go off in a straight line in another direction. What that means is, it could spend as much as 45 minutes in one corner of the room. If you give it enough time I guess, it'll get the whole room, so the idea is put it in a room, close the door and walk away And you come back some time later and the whole room is vacuumed. But if I'm in the kitchen there and it's bumping into me and comes around and then bumps on my other ankle, I don't understand its patterns, it's wandering aimlessly without any seeming strategy to approaching the room. Now, having said that, the Roomba's kind of fun and you put it in there and the room does get vacuumed and you don't have to do it, so that's pretty cool. I've heard they have them for lawns. Now that scares me. Just put it on your lawn, walk away. I'm like... But there are people that seem to live life like that, aimless. It even seems some Christians can live like that, they don't seem to have a purpose. Well your purpose is to be holy and to present your life as a holy offering to God, day after day. Put in a holy Monday tomorrow. Put in a holy rest of today, today. Put sin to death, give it to God as an offering, that's your goal. And then realize you're surrounded every day by people who are on their way to destruction, they're on their way to hell, say something to them about Christ, invite them to church, speak up, be inconvenienced, be willing to suffer, that's the purpose. As Jesus said, "The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life…" And "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." So Paul was running a clearly marked race here. He's also boxing the entire way, he's not shadow boxing, though. He knows exactly what he's about, he is fighting himself and he's fighting his lust and he's fighting the temptation to quit, all of it. So Paul's saying, "I'm not going to be enslaved to my body's demands for food, I'm not in slave to my body's demand for drink, I'm not enslaved to the demand for sleep, I'm not slave to the demand for public encouragement and adulation. All of those things make me feel good, but I'm not enslaved to any of them, I want to serve Christ." V. What Is the Danger? So what's the danger? Verse 27, "I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Disqualified. Disqualified. In the context, looking backward, at the external journey, it means that through your failure to watch yourself closely, you may no longer be of any use to God, You may be put on the shelf. And I know in Pastoral ministry, many pastors have been disqualified through sin, through sexual immorality, through financial malfeasance, through what's gone on in their marriage, or their family, or through their love of power and dominating of others. They have not kept their flesh in control and they've been disqualified from ministry. It's one of the greatest fears of my life, that some day I'll have to get up in front of you and confess sin and be disqualified. So you should pray for me, because if Paul has to do it, I have to do it, we all have to do it. As Richard Baxter, said in his classic, Reformed Pastor, "Be very careful, pastors, that you do not un-say with your life what you said with your lips." And so for us to keep careful watch over ourselves, but the deeper issue, I'm going to pick this up next week, is your own final salvation. We have to keep going in sanctification and frankly if you stop going in sanctification, there's a strong doubt that you ever were justified. So if you stop running the race of holiness, you have every good reason to wonder if you ever were born again to begin with. And so we have to keep running this race right to the end. Jesus said, "He who stands firm to the end will be saved." VI. Applications So what application can we take from this? Well, isn't it wonderful that we're not saved from our sins by how well we run a race? We are saved from our sins by how well Jesus ran His race, and He got to the end of His race on the cross, and He said "It is finished" and He broke through that finishing line and then I was going to suggest, but I got to you too late that we sing today, Crown Him With Many Crowns, but brother, thank you. We already sang it. Jesus broke through the finish line, and we crown him Victor and Lord of all and in His victory we stand and we receive the gift of righteousness, He is our righteousness, we are not saved from our sins by how well we run a race, but how well Jesus ran the race. So let me just say to you who came in here on the outside of Christ, this is the gospel for you. You're not going to be saved by how well you live the rest of your life. Trust in Christ. He is the Savior, He never sinned, He died on the cross for sinners like you and me, all you need to do is call on Jesus' name. Say, "Be my Savior" and He will save you, He'll give you the gift of perfect righteousness, He'll give you the crown as a gift. But once that happens, now you're in here with the rest of us and we're called on to run race. And I say two races, those two journeys, we're called on to run that internal race of holiness. So what is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about right now? What ways do you need to beat your body and make it your slave? What ways are you showing excess? Lack of self-control. I don't know what it is. Might have to do with your eating habits, might have to do with your entertainment habits, might have to do with sexual immorality and lust, internet issues, might have to do with what you're doing with your money, your possessions, might be a materialism issue. I don't know what it is. What is the Holy Spirit saying where your flesh has gone beyond boundaries and you need to pull it back in and put strong self-discipline in your life so that you can run this race with endurance? What's going on, I don't know, But whatever the Holy Spirit speaking to you do it today, don't put it off. And then in the external journey for evangelism, how much are you willing to be inconvenienced for the salvation of lost people around you? What changes are you willing to make, how are you willing to step out of your comfortable bubble to meet people and win them to Christ? Close with me in prayer.
Coach D and Coach Trent welcome runner, rock climber, wakesurfer, and physical therapist Michelle Baker, DPT to discuss her training for the Boston Marathon. Michelle PR'd her previous marathon time for by 23 minutes, ending with a race time of 3:34:51. She credits her success to a combination of regular strength training, interval/speed work, and nutrition experience gained from her previous marathons. Michelle is an all-around athlete, having played sports from a young age. After a layoff from sports in college, she discovered endurance training while in PT school and began running 5k and 10k races. She quickly became hooked and ran her first half marathon, then full-marathons, punctuated by occasional trail runs as well. Michelle describes her first marathons as brutally hard, as she learned how to develop a strong mindset and properly fuel her body for the hours-long race. Nevertheless, she stuck with them and slowly began getting better. Recently, she began working with Coach D to improve her times. Together they came up with a plan to incorporate strength training 2x per week, with an emphasis on developing the hips and trunk or "core" strength. This meant plenty of squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses. Coach D also encouraged her to run speed days 2-3x per week, where she focused on power; sometimes this included hill runs, since the Boston Marathon includes several notorious hills (one such know as "Heartbreak Hill"). On long-distance days she progressively increased her mileage, however she never ran more than ~18 miles prior to the race. She followed a model known as "cumulative fatigue" in which she tracked her weekly mileage -- a proxy for fatigue -- aiming to progressively increase that number while limiting the total mileage in a single day. As she puts it, "it's like running the last 18 miles of a marathon." Her times at the Boston speak for themselves, but most importantly, Michelle is healthy, uninjured, and feels great. Her time qualifies her for the 2020 Boston Marathon, which she is already looking forward to. You can follow Michelle's training on Instagram @akmtnmotherrunner. Got a question about running or endurance training in general? Send us a message on Instagram or send us an email at info@40fit.com! Connect with 40fit Radio 40fit website Facebook 40fit Masters Community 40fit Radio on Instagram
Serving Boston’s diverse running community to Dan Fitzgerald is more about overdelivering services and less about simply selling stuff. The Heartbreak Hill Running Co. Co-Founder and president weighs in on the run specialty market, Beantown’s running scene and expansion for his current three-door specialty chain.
HILLS! For many of us this word terrifies us because they’re hard, they’re uncomfortable, and we may not even know how to run them correctly. Up hill, downhill, hills for interval training and speed work, trail running with hills, it’s all part of the running experience. Yet, how many of us know how to use hills effectively and to our optimal benefit to improve our running? In this episode Dylan discusses hills and why all of us can benefit from understanding how to run them better and how to utilize the power that comes from effective hill running – for racing and training. When we think of running hills, we often envision running up a road with a steep hill, running up a long but low grade, or the infamous “Heartbreak Hill” of Boston. But, as Isaac Newton essentially said: “What goes up, must come down.” and Dylan also shares with us how to effectively run down hills and how hills should be approached when trail running.
Tim and I spoke before the Boston Marathon, a race that he grew up watching as an athlete and coach at Boston College, which is right after Heartbreak Hill. In the interview which took place on the Friday before the marathon, Tim shared that he hadn’t run in the last 7 days and more about the dark place he was in leading up to race day and how he was managing that. Tim had a 2:21 debut at the 2013 Boston Marathon, and has brought his marathon time down to 2:11:56 en route to winning the USATF Marathon Championships at CIM in 2017. We talked about what got him out the door the first time, his progression and how he keeps the fire lit as a pro runner. We talked about his love for the journey, both his own and those of the athletes that he coaches now at UMass Amherst and with McKirdyTrained. We dug into his Why and the spiritual and religious connection he feels when he’s running and racing. Tim runs for Saucony and coaches at UMass Amherst and with McKirdyTrained, and can be found on Instagram at @timritchiewtd --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/forthelongrun/support
In this podcast episode we bring you inspiring stories from this year’s Boston Marathon. Plus we will give you a run-down of the final results and soundbites from race weekend. And in the quick tip segment, Angie answers a question about what officially counts as a marathon or half marathon.The Boston Marathon 2019 2019 was the 123rd edition of the Boston Marathon. There are around 500,000 spectators who come out every year to cheer on the 30,000 plus runners. This provides a nearly 200 million dollar boost to the local economy. The Boston Marathon is hosted by the Boston Athletic Association which was established in 1887. In 1897 the BAA hosted a 24.5-mile road race for 15 participants (only 10 finished). In 1924 the course was lengthened to 26 miles, 385 yards to conform to the new Olympic standard. The BAA’s symbol is the unicorn and it still appears on today’s marathon medals. Official Boston colors are yellow and blue. Around 9,700 volunteers work the Boston Marathon each year. Most of the race is run outside of Boston. The course starts in Hopkinton and goes through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline before entering Boston at mile 24. The BAA reserves around 3,000 spots (of 30,000) for its charity runners. Participants who ran on behalf of more than 260 non-profit organizations raised $36.6 million for charity at the 2018 Boston Marathon and figures will probably be similar this year. Heartbreak Hill, one of the most iconic features of the course, comes between miles 20-21 after the Newton Hills. Although it’s only a 91 feet climb the name started after the 1936 race when runner Johnny Kelley patted fellow runner Tarzan Brown on the back as he passed him. This spurred Tarzan Brown into action and he went on to win the race (thereby “breaking” Kelley’s heart near that hill). Marathon Monday The marathon wasn’t always on a Monday. Up until 1969 the race was always on April 19th, Patriot’s Day, a civic holiday commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolution. In 1969 officials changed the race to always be the third Monday in April which is known as Marathon Monday. Boston Strong The mantra “Boston Strong” came about after two bombs exploded at the finish line in 2013 which killed two people and injured 260 others. The city of Boston responded by more than a million spectators coming out to support the 2014 race in which Meb Keflezhighi wrote the names of the victims on his bib and went on to win the race. (2) Qualifying Times It continues to get more challenging to get into Boston with a qualifying time. A total of 30,458 applications were received for qualifiers, a significant increase from recent years. 7,384 qualifiers were unable to be accepted due to field size limitations. Qualifiers who were four minutes, 52 seconds (4:52) or faster than the qualifying time for their age group and gender were accepted into the 2019 race. Qualifying standards will be five minutes faster for all age groups, starting with the 2020 Boston Marathon.2019 Winners Men The men’s pack stayed together until around mile 21 when Geoffrey Kirui dropped the pace from 5:06 to 4:31 and the lead pack dropped down to five. Then there was an exciting sprint finish down the length of Boylston St. for the third closest men’s race ever. 1st- Lawrence Cherono (Kenya) in 2:07:57 (he said,” I was so focused because I’ve never won a major marathon”), 2nd- Lelisa Desisa (Ethiopia) in 2:07:59 (who said that this was the first time he’s ever been outsprinted), 3rd- Kenneth Kipkemoi (Kenya) 2:08:07. The first American was Scott Fauble in seventh with 2:09:09 and Jared Ward, who finished eighth in 2:09:25 with a PR. Women: Worknish Degefa of Ethiopia took the lead around mile 4 and would go on to expand this lead to 3 minutes by mile 18. 1st- Worknish Degefa winning time was 2:23:31 2nd- Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, 2:24:13. 3rd-American Jordan Hasay posted a time of 2:25:20. Des Linden the defending champion finished 5th in 2:27:00 Men’s wheelchair: 1st- Daniel Romanchuk (USA) 1:21:36 2nd- Masazumi Soejima (Japan) 1:24:30 3rd- Marcel Hug (Switzerland) 1:26:42 Women’s wheelchair: 1st- Manuela Schar (Switzerland) 1:34:19 2nd- Tatyana McFadden (USA) 1:42:35 (at one point she tipped over in her wheelchair) 3rd- Madison de Rozario (Australia) 1:41:36Notable and Inspiring Finishers Joan Benoit Samuelson Joan Samuelson, age 61, finished in 3:04. She made history 40 years ago with a 2:35:15 Boston finish, enough to win Boston and break the course record. This year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary, she planned to run within 40 minutes of her record-breaking time. She did better and finished within 30 minutes of that goal. Gene Dykes Glen Dykes, age 71, broke his own age-group record, posting the fastest course time for a 70-to-74-year-old with a time of 2:58:50. This is after some pretty huge races earlier in the year like the Arches Ultra 50 Miler in Moab in late January, and then the 200-mile Delirious Western Endurance Scenic Trail race in Australia three weeks later. That one took him 101 hours to complete, including five encounters with venomous snakes. “At one point, I spotted a Tiger snake below me when I was in mid-stride,” he recalls. “I had to twist my body and throw myself into the underbrush to avoid it. But these ultra distance adventure runs are great fun, especially when they include sleep deprivation. You get flashbacks afterwards—the good kind.” (3) Stephen VanGampleareThe non-elite man who finished 1st is a Colorado engineer named Stephen VanGampleare who ran a massive PR of 2:18:40, the 26th fastest time of the day. He was initially disappointed by the BAA’s change which started Wave 1 two minutes after the elite men. He not only finished as the top amateur in the race, he also qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in the process. Adrianne Haslet Adrianne Haslet is a survivor who lost her left leg in the 2013 Boston Marathon finish line bombings and had been training to run this year’s marathon. But she was struck by a car while in a crosswalk in January. Despite this tough new challenge she persevered in getting back to running, and ran the BAA 5K, her first race back. “I wanted to run this race so badly. I may have walked, but I never gave up.” (4) Ben Beach Ben Beach is one of the Boston Marathon Legacy runners and ran his first Boston Marathon at age 18 in 1968. He is now 69 and suffers from a rare neurological disorder that sends his lower leg extended sideways and nearly parallel to the ground with each stride. “I’ve made my peace with that. This is what running is like for me now.” His Boston personal best of 2:27:26 was set in 1981. He finished this year in just over 6 hours after dealing with cramping for more than half the race. “I feel good about the streak,” he said. “And I don’t want it to end. I’m struck by how adaptive human beings are. Runners know that the even slightest imbalance will almost guarantee an injury, but here I am, still bumbling along. The way my body has adjusted – it amazes me. I intend to be back in Hopkinton next April and to make up for this lackluster performance,” (5) Marko Cheseto Marko Cheseto is a double amputee who lost both his legs about six inches below the knee to frostbite in 2011. Originally from Kenya, he had come to study at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. In his senior year, deeply upset over the suicide of another UAA runner from Kenya, Cheseto overdosed on pills and disappeared into the woods around the UAA campus. He was the subject of a massive search and rescue operation. On the third day he stumbled into a hotel near the campus with his shoes frozen to his feet. After his recovery Cheseto remained in Anchorage, graduated with a degree in nutrition, got married, had three children, and has become an American citizen. Eighteen months after losing his feet, he resumed running once he was fitted with a pair of running blades. “One thing I just told myself was the condition that I have is just a phenomenon that happened in my life,” Cheseto said on Marathon Monday. “It does not define who I am. I still have my inner power.” He finished in 2:42 with a new PR. His goal is to run a sub-2:10 marathon. (6) Michael Herndon Michael Herndon, age 31, a Marine veteran from Ohio was the picture of determination. His legs locked up near mile 22 forcing the Afghanistan veteran to eventually get down on his hands and knees to crawl. He refused to give up, drawing inspiration from three fellow comrades who didn’t survive a bombing attack overseas. Herndon’s fellow Marines Matthew Ballard and Mark Juarez and British journalist Rupert Hamer died in 2010 from an improvised explosive device’s blast in Afghanistan. When his Achilles tendon starting giving him trouble on Monday and his legs gave out near the end of the race, Herndon chanted his fallen comrades’ names aloud to help himself focus on finishing. Once Herndon crossed the finish line, he was lifted into a wheelchair to receive medical attention. This was his first marathon which he finished in 3:38 and he’s determined that it won’t be his last. He said this about his inspiration, “They are not here anymore. I am here, and I am able. I am lucky to still have all my limbs. I can still be active. I find fuel in the simple idea that I can run. Some cannot.” (8) Dave McGillivray Boston race director Dave McGillivray has the tradition that each year after he completes his duties he runs the race himself. He’s run the Boston Marathon for 46 consecutive years (16 years as a regular runner and 30 years after the race as the race director) and this year he brought it up to 47 times (he’s run 157 marathons in total). This year’s marathon came just six months after triple bypass surgery. “I would definitely put it up there as the toughest one and the most challenging,” McGillivray said. “But it probably was the most special, given that I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect.” The 64-year-old ran Boston this year for Team Big Heart and raised over $100,000 to create awareness about heart illness. “My mission now in life is to create an awareness that just because you’re fit, doesn’t mean you’re healthy, and that if you feel something, do something about it,” he said. “There were times in my life when I thought I was invincible, and I never thought they were warning pains. I just thought they were challenging pains. And now I realize there are warning pains out there, and you have to really recognize the difference and act on them. That’s what I did, and, as a result, I gave myself a second chance.”(9) Sources 1. www.boston.com/sports/boston-marathon/2017/04/14/why-a-world-record-set-in-the-boston-marathon-wouldnt-officially-count 2. www.mentalfloss.com/article/27483/11-fast-facts-about-boston-marathon 3. www.podiumrunner.com/gene-dykes-returns-to-the-marathon-distance-monday-in-boston_177008?fbclid=IwAR2Fw99Eid1w1cuxcqVY3-GTDYPHspaTso5nh2cZmEfXdVOcxRIsNMSgF54 4. www.runnersworld.com/news/g27054165/boston-marathon-celebrity-runners/ 5. www.bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/sports/bethesda-runner-extends-boston-marathon-streak/ 6. www.boston.com/sports/boston-marathon/2019/04/15/in-2011-marko-cheseto-lost-his-feet-to-frostbite-today-he-ran-the-boston-marathon-in-less-than-three-hours 7. www.runnersworld.com/news/a27045741/boston-marathon-results-mens-winner/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_rnw&utm_medium=email&date=041519&src=nl&utm_campaign=16093140&utm_term=AAA%20–%20High%20Minus%20Dormant%20and%2090%20Day%20Non%20Openers 8. www.boston.cbslocal.com/2019/04/15/boston-marathon-man-crawls-across-finish-line/?fbclid=IwAR1JJsU0pddsnpcOOvFxSnGpH546H59yyqBUKQWsqizmnae3hEJMzwGBdnI 9. www.boston.com/sports/boston-marathon/2019/04/16/after-heart-surgery-dave-mcgillivray-runs-2019-boston-marathon 10. www.marathonmaniacs.com/criteria-faq/ 11. www.100halfmarathonsclub.com/counting.html 12. www.baa.org/ Also Mentioned in This Episode Generation UCAN -the revolutionary new way for runners to fuel. UCAN keeps your blood sugar stable and allows your body to burn fat. Use the promo code “MTABOSTON” to save 15% off your order.” On Running– The shoe brand that Angie is wearing at the London Marathon. Try a pair of On’s for yourself for 30 days and put them to the test. Yes, that means actually running in them before you decide to keep. VARIDESK -the world’s leading standing desk solution, converting any desk into a standing desk so you can maintain a healthy active lifestyle in the office or at home. NuNee -designed specifically to relieve that dreaded Runner’s Knee pain. Use code MTA20 for a 20% discount. Lactigo -a topical gel that improves athletic performance and recovery. LactiGo is an effective, fast-acting topical gel with menthol and carnosine that helps people maximize their athletic performance and speed muscle recovery. Use the code MTA for a 10% discount. Biolite -headlamp that runs for up to 40 hours on a single charge, it’s super bright, you can tilt it with one hand, and it’s so comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing it. Use the code MTA at checkout for 15% off your order. Trevor’s Boston Trip Trevor had a chance to go and cheers on the runners this year. The highlight of his trip was meeting up with listeners to the podcast. Big thanks to Coach Steve Waldon, Mitch Goldstein, Tom and Cari Hardin, Henry Howard and his wife Manju and mother-in-law Karen, Logan Collier and her friend Rachel, Mike Emmerling and his son Mike, Randy Mays, Beck Straley, Karima Modjadidi, Ingrid Sell-Boccelli, and Lena Katharina for coming to the MTA Meet Up! MTA Meet UP Trevor with Ryan Hall and Tom Hardin Trevor with MTA Coach Steve Waldon Trevor with ultra runner Stephanie Howe Violett With fellow podcaster Tina Muir With Tim Hadzima of Abbot World Marathon Majors The post Inspiring Stories From This Year’s Boston Marathon appeared first on Marathon Training Academy.
Sarah and Dimity have a nearly marathon-length conversation with three first-time runners of the Boston Marathon—including Dimity’s husband, Grant Davis! First is Kristen Genet who, despite running fast enough to qualify for Boston, wore a charity bib in the legendary event. Laugh as Kristen tells about a treat she gave herself at the top of Heartbreak Hill, the notoriously hilly section around Mile 16. Find out why she stopped when she first spied the finish line. Next is Kristi Brown, a mom of four, who talks about the “electric” energy of Boston on marathon weekend—and how she would randomly burst into (happy!) tears as she toured the city. She shares two amazing TMI pre-race anecdotes, including one that had her asking herself, “What Would Sarah Do?” Marvel at her per-mile speed—and her ability to embrace a new pace when she slowed down starting at Mile 17. The final guest, Dim’s hubby, Grant, is well worth waiting for. He kicks things off with his running origin story that even Dimity didn’t know! Grant details his five-year BQ journey, plus the highs and lows of the training cycle that got him to this year’s starting line. He describes the party atmosphere in the starting corrals, his “first indication that this race was going to be unlike any other marathon” he’d ever run. Grant’s candor throughout the interview is touching—a really special AMR experience. The intro chitchat is pretty tight, with the first 2019 Boston finisher joining the episode at 9:30. For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to takecareof.com and enter promo code amr50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
George Mendes is a determined and compassionate individual. He is a humble perfectionist who does what it takes to “get it done!” George is not swayed by challenges and, in fact, he rises to meet them with creativity and quick thinking. George is the Chef and owner of Aldea Restaurant in New York City. George puts his heart and his soul into his craft and it is abundantly clear; Aldea has been awarded a Michelin Star every year since 2011! This "all-in" approach is also evident in George’s running practice. In the four years since George started racing marathons, he has sliced over 40 minutes off of his finish time, achieving a personal best at the 2018 New York City Marathon of 3:37:26. It cannot go without saying that before this personal best, George achieved a 12-minute personal best of 3:43:42 at the 2018 Boston Marathon during historically cold, windy, and torrential weather. George also negative-split this race! George’s story is one of determination, perseverance, commitment and an innate calling to help others. George uses all of his skills in the kitchen, and those on the road, to give back to the world. This is a beautiful, deep-dive into George’s chef experience and how he applies the same outlook and skills to road-racing. "Bom appetite!" GOOD LUCK to everyone racing the Boston Marathon on Monday. Listen and allow George to help you ascend Heartbreak Hill.
In this episode of the Pursuit of the Perfect Race, I talk with my athlete and friend Richie Szeliga about his race at the Boston Marathon. He talks about the mindset going into such a daunting race with terrible weather. Richie also goes over his nutrition plan and his plan for clothing during the race. But most importantly the mental game during the race itself. He talks about the confidence of how hitting good splits can change your attitude and make the little voices go away. The crowds in Boston were in full effect in the rain. No weather can hold the residents of Boston inside. Richie talks about some added carbs at the bottom of Heartbreak Hill. In the end he walks away with a Personal Record for the Boston Marathon Course.-Enjoy the show. To see pictures from her race, go to https://www.coachterrywilson.com/perfectrace/31-Weather that day: 40s, wind chill in the 30s, with heavy rain throughout.Age on Race Day: 25Run: 2:55:23-Follow Richie,Instagram: @wittlewichieFacebook: Richie Szeliga-Mentioned on this episode: Saucony: https://www.saucony.com Base Performance: https://www.baseperformance.com/ Boston Marathon: www.baa.org Base Salt: https://www.baseperformance.com/products/base-electrolyte-salt-4-vials -To learn more about me, go to www.CoachTerryWilson.com
In this episode of the Pursuit of the Perfect Race, I talk with my athlete and friend Richie Szeliga about his race at the Boston Marathon. He talks about the mindset going into such a daunting race with terrible weather. Richie also goes over his nutrition plan and his plan for clothing during the race. But most importantly the mental game during the race itself. He talks about the confidence of how hitting good splits can change your attitude and make the little voices go away. The crowds in Boston were in full effect in the rain. No weather can hold the residents of Boston inside. Richie talks about some added carbs at the bottom of Heartbreak Hill. In the end he walks away with a Personal Record for the Boston Marathon Course.-Enjoy the show. To see pictures from her race, go to https://www.coachterrywilson.com/perfectrace/31-Weather that day: 40s, wind chill in the 30s, with heavy rain throughout.Age on Race Day: 25Run: 2:55:23-Follow Richie,Instagram: @wittlewichieFacebook: Richie Szeliga-Mentioned on this episode: Saucony: https://www.saucony.com Base Performance: https://www.baseperformance.com/ Boston Marathon: www.baa.org Base Salt: https://www.baseperformance.com/products/base-electrolyte-salt-4-vials -To learn more about me, go to www.CoachTerryWilson.com
It's May, so Peter finally gets to ask Bryan the big question: "How was your run today?" And...he gets an answer! Then they go back in time once more to the Boston Marathon to respond to a listener question about their experience. They describe the crazy marathon-day weather conditions atop Heartbreak Hill, and Peter shares his amazing experience meeting an international, first-time marathoner. Then, we listen in on Bryan's interview with Marnie Kunz, running coach, writer, and creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which takes runners of all levels on tours to explore local street art and murals. Marnie talks about how Runstreet got started in New York, the experience of leading the big Boston Marathon shakeout run, and where else she'd like to take Runstreet. Plus, an announcement about our upcoming Mother's Day episode! http://www.runstreet.com Be sure to order your sweet, sweet, limited edition HWYRT Boilermaker 15K singlet before June 1st: https://www.customink.com/g/ktm0-00bd-ng4g
Wow, what a day! History was made when Michigan's own Desiree Linden, a 34-year-old runner who trains with Hanson-Brooks Original Distance Project in Rochester Hills and lives in Charlevoix, was the first woman to cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Her epic victory marked the first time an American woman has won this race since 1985. The first in 33 years! Des also demonstrated incredible sportsmanship when she slowed to make sure friend Shalane Flanagan (a fellow 2016 U.S. Olympic team member) was OK after she stopped for about 13 seconds to use the bathroom near the race's halfway mark. Des, the two-time Olympian and 2011 Boston runner-up, pulled away at the end of Heartbreak Hill to finish in 2 hours, 39 minutes, 54 seconds. That was more than four minutes better than second-place finisher Sarah Sellers, one of seven Americans in the top 10. "I'm thrilled. I'm exhausted. I left it all out there. Now I'm ready to warm up," Linden told CBS Boston. "It hurts right now, but it's a perfect day for me. This is a grinder's day. That's why I keep showing up here, and I think that's why I have success here is because I can kind of tough it out through anything. On this short-and-sweet MRG update episode (recorded a few days pre-Boston), Heather shares details of exciting things happening with Michigan Runner Girl, including having Des Linden be part of the upcoming 3rd Annual Michigan Runner Girl Spring Getaway on May 4-6 in Traverse City. Lots more cool stuff shared during this update show! (Hint: new web site, Gazelle Girl info, fresh MRG designs!) If you haven't yet listened to the MRG interview with Des Linden, take a listen here: http://michiganrunnergirl.com/desiree-linden-2-time-olympian-michigan-lover-ready-boston-2018/
By now, runner, author, and activist Kathrine Switzer has logged countless miles. Most famously, she completed 26.2 as the first official female in the Boston Marathon, in 1967. The stunning photos of race director Jock Semple nearly pulling her off the course made history and cemented her life’s purpose of empowering women. But like any others, her journey started with a single mile—one she’d run, on repeat, at her dad’s suggestion beginning when she was 12. He told her it would improve her performance on the field hockey team. Ultimately, it transformed her life. “Every day I felt like I had a secret weapon, a magic that nobody could take away from me,” she said. “It was just amazing to have that under my belt. So by the time I was 19 and training for the Boston Marathon, I felt like I could do anything.” Switzer’s goal of sharing that power brought her to Chicago earlier this month to speak at a fundraising luncheon for the Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF). At the MEF’s Metro Achievement Center for Girls, Switzer explained to #WeGotGoals the immediate connection she felt to the organization, a message she’d echo at the luncheon later that day. Just like her father and her school hockey team gave her the opportunity to navigate the challenges of teenage and young adult life with confidence, MEF’s mentoring programs support low-income students in Chicago in achieving their potential. “Nobody understands what they can do unless they have those opportunities,” she said. Switzer’s pioneering Boston run was only the first of many incredible goals. From there, she aimed both to improve her own running performance—she eventually ran a time of 2:51:37 and won the New York City Marathon in 1974—and also to help bring the women’s marathon to the Olympics. That, she did by partnering with corporations like Avon to start women’s marathons around the world, until the International Olympic Committee had no choice but to say yes, in 1984. “I felt that if we could do that, we could level the playing field completely, and in many ways we did,” she said. “When that happened, I said—that’s it.” But as long as injustice persisted, Switzer couldn’t sit out the next revolution. As she approached 70, she started receiving messages from women wearing her original Boston bib number, 261, saying it made them feel fearless. “When people started sending me pictures of their tattoos, I realized I had to do something with it,” she said. “It was more than kind of synchronicity.” So, she and her colleagues launched a non-profit called 261 Fearless, which unites women around the world with the opportunities running brings. Each goal they achieve on the road or trail, each fellow athlete they meet, inspires confidence and a sense of accomplishment that carries over throughout their lives. “It’s like, I’m going to take you by the hand and we’re going to put one foot in front of the other, we’re going to walk, to run. We’re going to forget all the junk that went on during our day and our week and our lives just for an hour, and you’re going to find your fearless.” As a young runner, she set out to prove that women could handle long distances. Now, she’s motivated more by a sense of responsibility to the next generation. She still runs at a high level—an endeavor that energizes rather than depletes her. Last year, she ran the Boston Marathon again, 50 years after her first time. “When I crossed that finish line, what I felt like I had done is pass the torch to the next 50 years. It was a great feeling,” she said. “There were with me 125 women who ran in Boston and who raised substantial money for the global launch of 261 Fearless, who are full of passion. And I said, you know what, it’s in good hands.” Not that Switzer’s retiring anytime soon. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about her future goals—which involve, yes, more running, along with another book—her perspective on why running matters more than ever in this particular social moment, and why she hopes people will support (or start) organizations like MEF in their communities. This episode is presented by Chicago Sport and Social Club, reminding you that summer is just around the corner. Get into a summer volleyball league now and use code “GOALS” to get 5 percent off until March 15. And if you like what you hear, subscribe where ever you get your podcasts and leave us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts. Also, join the Kickstarter to support the aSweatLife.com movement. --- Transcript: JAC: 00:16 Welcome to #WeGotGoals, a podcast by aSweatLife.com, on which we talk to high achievers about their goals. I'm Jeana Anderson Cohen. With me, I have Cindy Kuzma and Maggie Umberger. MU: 00:16 Good morning, Jeana. CK: 00:29 Morning, Jeana. This is Cindy. Maggie and Jeana, you guys have some pretty exciting stuff happening at aSweatLife this week, right? JAC: 00:31 We sure do. We launched a Kickstarter this month. Our goal is to raise $20,000 with the help of anyone who's ever benefited from anything that aSweatLife does, from the podcast to the ambassadorship to the events, to the content. We're relying on people who like us the way that we like them to help fund growth projects. We're working on expanding our ambassadorship, which helps incredible women here in Chicago right now, set and achieve big goals and support each other along the way and we've seen such magic happen, right Maggie? CK: 01:07 So much. I mean, the past year of getting to know all of our ambassadors really well and get to see them actually accomplish goals. We did a little bit of a survey to ask people what have you actually accomplished and would like to share with us. And we were really overwhelmed with how many people said like, I finished this degree. I've been accepted into this program. I have written a book, I have, you know, bought a condo. None of them necessarily like fitness goals. Although those are always peppered in with the things that we do. But life goals and the way that people attack their goals in the gym are the way that they're attacking them in the rest of their lives and other aspects of their lives. And it's been really fun to watch that happen and to kind of get to support everyone along the way. JAC: 01:48 And so if you want to support that growing network, check the link in the show notes and on aSweatLife.com. CK: 01:48 Awesome. JAC: 01:58 But on the same note, Kathrine Switzer is a big achiever who sets big goals outside of the gym. And inside it, wouldn't you say, Cindy? CK: 02:10 I would say that is absolutely the case. She is one of the pioneers of the women's running revolution and I was so thrilled to get to speak with her. She was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. And that's a race I've run a few times myself. So what an honor to speak with her and how insightful and open and honest she was about her experiences. MU: 02:29 So when I listened to your interview, Kathrine's passion for running made me want to sign up for a marathon. And I've never thought that I would want to run any kind of distance before. But the way she talks about her fuel for life and everything she goes after and how she has used running to help her tackle her goals outside of running. It sounds infectious to me. And she talks about that being like her secret weapon. Can you talk a little bit about that experience for her? CK: 02:59 Yeah. I mean her dad encouraged her to start running a mile every day when she was 12 and if you think about someone encouraging you to do something like that that you didn't think you could do when you were 12 and then you did it every day and you kind of gained this physical confidence in yourself and you navigated your preteen and your teenage years and you just really had this feeling that, hey, I can do this thing that I never thought I could do and that no one else thought I could do. CK: 03:24 It really would just give you that power to think that you could do anything. And that's what it did for her. And she believes that running can be that secret weapon for so many people and it's a gospel that she preaches. You'll hear her talk about, especially in these sort of divided times, how running can really bring people together in addition to bringing confidence to each individual. But we heard her speak, Jeana and I went to hear her speak at a lunch for the Midtown Educational Foundation later the same day that I interviewed her and she also talked about the fact that everyone has a secret weapon. It might not be running for you--it might be running for you, Maggie, you might have to try it, but uh, but whatever it is, there is something that you didn't think you could do and someone gives you the opportunity to do it and you do it and you take that with you. CK: 04:05 And it's just a matter of aligning the opportunity with setting that goal and accomplishing it and thinking about that carrying over to the rest of your life. JAC: 04:14 And what's incredible about seeing her speak is how energized she is still to this day about the cause of women running and about how women who run can change the world. When she started this, when she took up the Boston Marathon, she was in her twenties and today she's in her seventies. Can you talk to me a little bit about how she's staying energized or why is she staying energized? CK: 04:40 Yeah. Running, she says, gives her energy, you know, people who don't run sometimes think running makes you tired, but once you sort of tap into that secret weapon of it, it really does give you energy and fuels you. But it's certainly her motivation to, to do all the things that she does has changed in the 50 years that she's been doing them. CK: 04:58 When she first started, she had something to prove both as an individual and as, as a woman who wanted to show people that women's bodies could handle the distance of running the marathon. And she was instrumental, you'll hear her talk about this as one of her biggest goals in getting the women's marathon, um, into the Olympics, which happened in 1984, which is not very long ago, which is crazy to me. But now she still feels the same energy and passion, but her motivation has shifted a little bit. Now she feels a responsibility. She started this non-profit 261 fearless, which is based on her number from the Boston Marathon, not because she thought it would be a good idea, but because of what she was hearing from women out there who were motivated by her to continue spreading this movement. MU: 05:43 261 Fearless. It gives me chills to hear her talk about it in the, in the episode, and I'm sure all of our listeners will also feel that same way. So here is Cindy with Kathrine. CK: 06:06 This is Cindy Kuzma and I am here with Kathrine Switzer on the #WeGotGoals podcast. Kathrine, thank you so much for joining us today. KS: 06:08 Oh, Cindy I'm so glad to be here to be with you and to talk about so many really great things that are going on. CK: 06:15 Yeah, so Kathrine, you are here in Chicago. Welcome to Chicago, first of all! We're here at the Midtown Educational Foundation's Metro Achievement Center for Girls. Could you tell me a little bit about why we're here, why you're here today? KS: 06:27 You know, I was asked to speak today to a big fundraising luncheon for the Midtown Educational Foundation by a friend of mine who knows me through running and he said, your goals, your persistence, are so similar to what this foundation is all about. The more I heard about Midtown Educational Foundation, I really, really wanted to do the speech, so I'm grateful for being here. KS: 06:50 It is a wonderful organization that addresses the needs of low income average students with a mentoring program after school where these kids can get the tutoring and the help and the encouragement both for character development as well as academics to make them exceptional. And I'm so pleased to be a part of that because we all need an opportunity in life. That's what my speech is going to be all about. It's all about very similar things to my running career where I began as a, I would say less than average runner, a no talent and worked really hard and trained really hard and then also saw in the course of the way inequalities that existed for women and it developed into an entire career and life goal. So that's why I'm here to take those similarities into another area, which I'm very excited about. CK: 07:48 Let's talk a minute about how it all began. You are known for so much now, but this started in 1967 when you signed up as K.V. Switzer, you pinned on that bib 261 and you became the first woman officially to run Boston. And you finished the race that day, but, but you almost didn't because of what happened with Jock Semple and how he tried to pull you off the course and those photos are just astonishing still. And I'm sure you've told this story a million times, but I think it cannot ever be lost to history. So can you tell me one more time and how you reflect on that moment now? KS: 08:19 Yes. First of all, Cindy, it didn't start with pinning on a bib for the 1967 Boston Marathon. It started when I was 12 years old. It started with a dad who encouraged me to run a mile a day, and so I grew up running a mile a day playing on the field hockey team and my high school, I was lucky to have a field hockey team and I had an incredible sense of empowerment from running this mile a day. KS: 08:40 I mean every day I felt like I had, you know, a secret weapon, a magic that nobody could take away from me, um, and what a way for a little 12 year old to grow up and go through all the crazy behaviors of, of high school. It was just amazing to have that under my belt. So by the time I was 19 and training for the Boston Marathon, I felt like I could do anything. That's also why I'm here in Chicago, as you know, to talk to the Midtown Educational Foundation people and their donors and to let them know that every kid out there just needs some kind of encouragement. If my dad hadn't started me with that mile a day, probably I would've discovered running much later. And I just hate to think if I hadn't just picked up that one thing that he said, run a mile a day, my life would've been so completely changed. KS: 09:28 Anyway, so here we are. Now. I'm a student at Syracuse University. I'm working with the volunteer coach. He's not even the real coach at the university, who is an ex marathoner who was really ancient, you know, he was 50 years old and to me I was 19. He took me under his wing and we just jogged together everyday and you know, one mile became three miles, became 10 miles, became 15. And then I told him I really wanted to run the Boston Marathon and he didn't believe a woman could do it anywhere at anytime. And I said, hey, come on. There's been about six or seven women who've run marathons, you know, with no fanfare. And there was a woman at Boston, Roberta Gibb, who jumped out of the bushes the year before and she ran. Well, he exploded in rage. And he said, "No dame ever ran no marathon." KS: 10:15 He just couldn't believe a woman could do it even though he was so caring about me and believing in me, and so he he challenged me and said if if I showed him in practice that I could run it, he'd be the first person to take me. Which again, what an opportunity. My goal was always to show him, his name is Arnie Briggs, that I could do the distance and so in practice one day we ran 31 miles. I told him we're going to keep going another five miles and he fainted at the end of the workout. Then he was utterly convinced. An absolute evangelist and really helped me sign up for the race, insisted that I follow the rules to the letter. I was a card carrying member of the Amateur Athletic Union. You have to sign up for a race, you have to pay your entry fee. KS: 10:59 You have to you get your medical certificate, you have to get your travel permits. It was a real nightmare of organization. Right? And I kept saying, well, you know, no other woman has done that. And he said, well that's, they should have, these are the rules and there's nothing in the rule book and there's nothing on the entry form about gender, and I said, oh, we're pushing a point, and he said it's not on the entry form, so I signed my name. Of course I signed my name K.V. Switzer, which was another amazing coincidence. I signed my name that way because I wanted to be a journalist and I thought and also I wanted to be J.D. Salinger, if you want to know the truth, it's embarrassing to say, but my also because my dad had misspelled my name on my birth certificate so it was always misspelled and I got tired of it and I started signing my name K.V Switzer. KS: 11:42 Anyway, changed history because officials thought it was from a man, so the whole incident at Boston was really about wearing a bib number. Roberta Gibb was also in that race and she was not bothered. The official was furious because I was wearing a bib number and he thought I had pulled a fast one over on him and he attacked me in the race and tried to pull that bib number off. I mean, he was out of control. I mean, I'd never seen anybody so angry and it was out of the blue, so it kind of caught me completely off guard. I didn't panic, but I certainly tried to get away from him and my coach was screaming, "Leave her alone. She's OK. I've trained her." And my boyfriend decked him. And so I, you know, at that point, you know, I had that, that horrible moment of sinking fear and dread and I thought, should I get off the course, have I done something terribly wrong? KS: 12:35 And then I decided if I do that, then nobody's going to believe that women can do it. So I've already got myself in enough trouble. I'm going to just finish this race, which was a really amazing decision for a 20 year old to make under fire like that. And then I got really angry and I said to my coach, I'm going to finish this race on my hands and my knees if I have to, because I was so determined that women were no longer marginalized and I hadn't felt political at all up to that point. I thought other women just didn't get it, you know, how important fitness and running was and suddenly it all came down like an avalanche and you know, we'd lost a lot of adrenaline and had to push through. Marathon's hard enough and your first one at Boston for God sakes. KS: 13:18 The cool thing was this, is that all the guys were wonderful to me. Every guy who was around me or who passed me or who I passed said, you go for it. We're with you all the way. It was terrific. I'd like to fast forward for a minute on that note because I might forget this. Right now in this era of sexual contentiousness, I think running stands as such a beacon of gender equality, of motivation, of nonjudgmentalness. We're out there to support each other, not as males and females we're out there to support each other as runners and I don't know who you are next to me, sir, what color you are, what race, what religion, what language you speak, but I'm going to hug you at the end of this race and I and I trust you with my life. And where else are we going to find that? And so running can help everybody so much and we've learned so many lessons from it and we've seen this sport transform our major cities. KS: 14:14 But anyway, back to the race, you know, so I finished in and the rest is history as they say. I was determined to become a better athlete and I was determined to create opportunities for women. And so a life plan was laid out in front of me. CK: 14:25 Yeah. I just looked back at your memoir and reading about that event again. What struck me in addition to that emotion of it, the fear, I mean I can't even imagine being at the beginning of a marathon and dealing with all of that, was that realization that you seemed to have right then like the sense of your life purpose to show other women that, that they could have the secret weapon that they could feel this sense of physical accomplishment that seemed to have guided everything that you've done since. KS: 14:50 Yes. But of course, you know, first of all I wanted to finish the race because I, I knew also if I stepped off the course and didn't finish it, I'd regret it my whole life. KS: 15:01 And I said, I'm already here. I mean, how am I going to get home? Sort of like many runners say I couldn't quit because I had to get to the finish because that's where my clothes and my watch and my money is. That's the joke part of it. But it's true. You know, the other thing is you can't, you can't run a marathon and stay mad. And so by Heartbreak Hill, I'd even forgiven old Jock Semple. You know, he's a product of his time and overwork race director or you know, what the hell. But I was saying, why aren't women here? And that's when the realization came that they needed the opportunities. You know, I wanted to prove it for them, but it was then I realized you can't blame them for not being here if they've never had the opportunities. Nobody understands what they can do unless they have those opportunities. CK: 15:51 Hey, it's Cindy and we'll get back to my interview with Kathrine in just a minute, but first I want to let you know this episode is brought to you by Chicago Sport and Social Club. With them. It is more than a game, it's a social sports experience and hey, maybe running isn't your secret weapon. Maybe it's beach volleyball. There are a lot of reasons why you should play. You might want the feel of sand between your toes. You might want to meet people or you could just want to move your social life outside for a season. Whatever your goals are or your reasons for playing, Chicago Sport and Social Club has a beach volleyball league for you. You can do like Kathrine does and create a team of all women. You can grab a group of co eds or you can sign up as an individual and get set up with the team. However you go about it, if bump, set spike or the words that punctuate your summer, you will want to register around the league built for you. To do it. Go to www.ChicagoSocial.com and use code goals. That's G-O-A-L-S when you register. You'll get five percent off now through March 15th. And now it's back to our interview. CK: 17:04 So what we typically ask on the #WeGotGoals podcast is about one big goal that you've achieved and how you got there and I mean you have so many to choose from. I wonder if there's one that stands out to you as being a primary accomplishment for you. KS: 17:17 Yes, for much of my life, a big goal, a life goal was to get the women's marathon into the Olympic Games. I felt if we could do that, we could level the playing field completely and in many ways we did. When that happened, I said that's it. Take Me God, I can go. You know, I was young, I was only 33 years old and we did this and we got the women's marathon into the Olympic Games, you know, less than 10 years after this getting official at Boston. So that was incredible. We worked five years to get women official at Boston, that took place in 72, and then the inclusion into the Olympics was voted in in 81 for the 84 games. KS: 17:59 But life throws you some funny things. Who would have ever believed that in my sixties, my bib number 261 suddenly becomes this kind of a cult number, this magic number meaning fearless in the face of adversity. This is a number that is only been three digits to me, never had any resonance except for the fact that it was my first bib and suddenly people are saying this number makes me feel fearless. You know, and the reason is I suddenly thought is because everybody relates to a story like mine in their own way. They've been told they're not welcome. They've been told they're not good enough. They don't belong or they're the wrong race color, whatever. And then they run and they do it anyway and they become fearless and they were wearing it on their backs and inking their arms with 261 in the letters and the pictures were coming in. KS: 18:46 What am I going to do with this? I said, finally when people started sending me pictures of their tattoos, I realized I had to do something with it. It was more than kind of synchronicity and we formed a non-profit called 261 Fearless, where we take the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other out to women around the world who have no opportunities or are fearful and show them that they can find their fearless. So it started like in a funny way. It's like the mentoring program here at the Midtown Educational Foundation. It's like, I'm going to take you Cindy by the hand and we're going to put one foot in front of it. We're going to walk, run. We're going to forget all the junk that went on during our day in our week and our lives just for an hour, and you're going to find your fearless and you do. KS: 19:33 It is magic. Running is transformational. It changes our lives in fundamental ways because it gives us a simple sense of accomplishment. So 261 Fearless is launched as a series of global clubs where individually in different communities, towns, woman by woman, community by community. We're showing them just to get out and run and move together. We have a wonderful training program where we train the mentors, the coaches on how to create a non-judgmental environment, which is the toughest part. Learning to run is the easy part. Being non judgmental is not easy for some people. Also, we have a wonderful communications program at 261fearless.org website where women, when they join 261 Fearless also can have a closed portal and talk to each other. Sometimes in life you just need to know you're not alone out there and women can come in and say, Hey, I'm from Saudi. Can I talk to you from Canada? KS: 20:31 You know, or hey, I'm in Iran and I'm running alone and I don't know if somebody wants to come to this race. If you come with me, I'll feel a lot better. You know, that's wonderful. And you say, Oh, come on, running can't do that. Running has changed the world. Running has become a social revolution. Already, North America, there are more women runners than men and those women are not, they're not running to be Olympic athletes, as you know, Cindy. They're running because they're empowered and the same as in Canada, France, Japan. You look at the, you as a runner yourself, understand. The Kenyan women runners, look what look what they have done. They have changed their status from third class people to esteemed revered people in their communities, the women who have been lucky enough to get out and run and come back with prize money are building schools and inoculating kids. KS: 21:23 That changes the social fabric. So you know you change women and you've changed the world and I sincerely believe that 261 fearless is going to do that. It's amazing. CK: 21:33 It's incredible to hear about the genesis of that basically coming from the community and you being in that prime position to to see that and realize all of these big goals. KS: 21:45 It's scary though. I gotta tell you, it's really scary. You know, when we started forming this non-profit, I was 68 years old and I sat down with my team and I said, I don't want to do it. I don't want to do it. I'm too old to start another revolution, they said, no, no, no, we can do it. We could do. And I have a wonderful team of women who are like between 40 and 52, who are the core people they're at the top of their game. KS: 22:08 They want a legacy. They're going to make it happen. They're full of passion. And when I crossed the finish line, I think we're going to talk about this, you know, I ran the Boston Marathon again for my 50th anniversary and when I crossed that finish line, what I felt like I had done is passed the torch to the next 50 years. It was a great feeling because I kept saying, you guys, I'm not going to be around the next 50 years. You've got to understand. And it's hard for me because I didn't even realize I was 70. You know, I kept saying I'm not 70, I'm 25. And there were with me 125 women who ran in Boston and raised substantial money for the launch of 261 Fearless. The global launch essentially who are full of passion and I said, you know what, it's in good hands. CK: 22:54 It's amazing to think about the arc of your story from a woman almost not a lone woman, but a lone woman with a personal goal that was always bigger than you, but still, you know, to kind of being a part of a committed group of pioneers who worked to make things like the Olympic Marathon happened to now being basically like the leader of a movement. And so it's fascinating to hear that motivation for you of that idea of passing the torch because I do wonder how your drive and motivation changes through the years and I also wonder if you still feel like you have something to prove. KS: 23:26 Yeah, I, it's not that I have something to prove because I know running works. OK. You know, I, you know, I just say it works. It works all the time. What I have, unfortunately, I guess is this huge sense of responsibility. CK: 23:38 If you have the vision to see inequality and you walk by and you don't pick it up and do something, then I think you're doomed. And we have to do that. And that's why I kept saying to the team, I don't want to do this, I will don't. I mean I'm too old for another revolution. And they said, no, no, no, we'll handle this, you know, and thank God because, you know, I'm just, I'm too disorganized personally to, to really make another global program go. But they are wonderful and I have the voice and the vision and can see the direction. So as long as I'm able, I will continue to do this. But yeah, I do have that sense of responsibility and sometimes you know, you go to bed at night and you think, do I have the energy to carry on? And so far so good. KS: 24:27 You know what's great though is running gives it back to you. You know, I've been running pretty hard lately and that running in pe people say, don't you get tired from the running? I said, no, they're running actually refreshes me because the running, relieves the stress and gives the creative process. CK: 24:43 MMM hmm. I know that to be true to that is for sure. So the other big question we ask on #WeGotGoals is about a goal you have for the future and how you intend to get there. And you know, you talked about this idea of starting the movement and passing the torch, but you know, whether it's a, it's a goal for that you'd like to see happen with 261 Fearless or a personal goal of yours. What would you say is in the future? KS: 25:06 You know, the darndest thing about having a goal is once you achieve it, you go, wow, I did that. Speaker 3: 25:13 And then you look around and you like any athlete. Let's say you finally break three hours in a marathon as an example. You say, wow. Then you look around, you see people who are running like 2:18 and you say, oh, I have a long way to go, but yeah, do I have some more personal goals? Of course 261 and its success in changing women's lives is a huge goal of mine. But there are other goals. I have personal goals. I mean there's some broad ones like making women aware of taking control of their own health, of working with companies that that also helped people, like, I'm working with Humana for instance, in letting people know that we're on the verge of another threshold, another revolution which is aging and that people, you know, 60, 65 think they need to sit down and take it easy when the opposite is the case and they need to know that the more they more activity that they can embrace that the better their health is going to be. KS: 26:06 This is true with my work with Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association and letting women know that heart disease is your number one killer and yet you can prevent 45 percent of your cases of heart conditions, heart disease by simple exercise, not a marathon, a walk every day. These kinds of things are are so important for me to get out there. Personally on a personal goal. I got to write another book and you know, Marathon Woman ended essentially in 1984 and it was always proposed as a two volume book. The publisher said even Bill Clinton can do it in one, so I had to shelve that, end it in 84 thinking maybe that was the culmination in my career, but it wasn't so now we have a whole other book about the evolution in the revolution of these women and how. And then the next goal I would think personally is frankly I'm fascinated with being older and running, running the Boston Marathon 50 years after I first did my first one and which made me the first woman in history to run a marathon 50 years after she ran her first one, which is not testimony to my greatness, trust me. KS: 27:12 Trust me, it's testimony to how few women ran 50 years ago. It's going to be common place soon and there are plenty of women who are 70, 80, even 90 years old who are running marathons, which is wonderful to see. So I've enjoyed running Boston and in a, in a moment of hypoxia and delusion. I said, I'm in great shape. I'll run New York. I ran New York again last year, 43 years after I won it and people hundreds coming by and just slapping you on the back saying way to go. Now I'm running London on April 22. I'm not nearly as good as shape, but that's OK, London's just for fun. But I helped create that race in many ways and I've always wanted to run it. And then I'll run Berlin again. I've run before, but I'll run Berlin again in September and then maybe I'll do something, you know, you know, like cliché, like run the big six and I, I'll put this out there, but I don't want my husband to hear it, which is, I've always wanted to run Comrades. I've heard about that race and applied to for a sponsor to help me with in 1966. Even when I was training for Boston, I heard about Comrades and I said, I know I can do that. And so I went to a sponsor and ask if they would send me. And of course they thought I was smoking poppy. KS: 28:32 So it's gone by the wayside all these years and it's kind of rankled me, it's kind of been in the back of my mind. I'd like to try that as well. CK: 28:38 And for those of our listeners who don't know Comrades, it's a very famous ultramarathon in South Africa. That's some years uphill, some years downhill. KS: 28:47 I don't know which one I'll take you to sometimes downhill's harder than uphill, especially as you get older for sure. But for right now, the wheels haven't fallen off and how grateful I am because my husband, Roger Robinson, one of the, one of the greatest runners in the world actually for many, many years has had now double knee replacements, transformed thinking about actually running on them because he ran very, very well on the first one. And now he's struggling with the second one. We'll see what happens, you know, you know, we're hoping for a miracle here and um, but, but science has changing amazingly. KS: 29:21 But I don't know if the wheels do fall off or if they will. But let's go right now. I don't want to wait. CK: 29:31 Well, we will be watching you every step. I know. So tell me, you mentioned where the website for 261 Fearless. How else can people follow you and keep tabs on the important work that you're doing? KS: 29:40 Well, I mean I have somebody do Facebook for me and Twitter and stuff because you know, I'm so technophobic and idiotic with that stuff, you know, and I don't have time. I mean they get hundreds of emails a day, so shall I have somebody do that and so it's not huge, but you know, I'm on Facebook but really I think the best thing for them too, and they can always go to my website, MarathonWoman.com. Real easy to remember, but I really would love them to consider becoming a friend of 261 Fearless. KS: 30:05 And that's again 261fearless.org or starting a club in their community and all that information is on the site. So tune in there. That's, that would be the best thing. And the last thing I'd really like people to do is support in their own communities. Things that give kids opportunities. My life was changed by a dad who told me to run a mile a day and like here in Chicago, the Midtown Educational Foundation is doing great things for kids. Everybody has something in their own community, and if you don't, why don't you create it? CK: 30:39 That is a inspirational call to action for us all. Well, I can't thank you enough, Kathrine, for joining us today and thanks to the Midtown Educational Foundation for bringing you here and I'm, I'm just so grateful. Thanks for your time. KS: 30:51 You're welcome, Cindy. Thanks for all you do. CK: 31:00 This podcast is produced by me, Cindy Kuzma, and like so much else in life, it is better with friends. You can share it with yours by telling them about it or by subscribing yourself wherever you get your podcasts and then leaving us a rating or review while you're there. Special thanks to J. Mano for our theme music; to our guest this week, Kathrine Switzer; and to Tech Nexus for the recording studio.
The 2017 Boston Marathon is in the history books and Peter was a part of it! Bryan gets all the details about how Peter’s race went and why the day was so special. Then Bryan shares his experience of being a spectator at the top of Heartbreak Hill. Buy cool HWYRT swag at our Redbubble store! http://howwasyourruntoday.com/store-1/
Pacing; With Heather and some Boston Bling; Pre-Boston; Post-Boston We get competitive right from the start with Chris Patterson. Well, not really competitive. But we make an honest effort to do our absolute best. Chris is a marathon runner with a penchant for perfect pace. As you'll hear, his pacing was off a bit in his first race, but he worked at it and now wanders around the Northeast helping marathoners reach their goal times.Episode Notes"Gliders versus Gazelles"Presque Isle MarathonBeast PacingComrades MarathonComrades Awards FL50sSehgahunda Marathon "Heartbreak Hill" Bloomberg cancels NYC 2012Episode 026: Straight to the Solid Gameplan with Jason MintzRiO Birthday celebration!SponsorsJosh Stratton LMT - Tell him you heard the podcast and use the code "MACE WINDU" when booking during May for $15 off a 60 minute massage!Runners (mentioned)Jamie HobbsMike WeldenJason Mintz Special Guest: Chris Patterson.
Welcome to the #PlayUnified Podcast – formerly known as “Sports is the Catalyst” – where we meet at the intersection of sports, disability, philanthropy, entertainment and community building. Listen as we discuss why sports is such an important part of life, community and social change. Guests will include local sports figures, government officials, small business owner and figures within the Special Olympics movement. Greg ran the 2015 Boston Marathon as part of the Special Olympics Massachusetts charity team with John Hancock. Greg had never run a marathon before, but since Patriots Day 2015, he has been planning his next race. After taking a year off from Boston, Greg will be running a full marathon this fall and then carry his training right into 2017 with hopes of returning to Heartbreak Hill and the rest of the Boston Marathon course!
Broken Skull Challenge competitor Todd Carroll had a heck of a run on the SkullBuster - a run that ultimately ended in heartbreaking defeat. Todd shares the play-by-play on his strategy as he moved through the course (including his deliberate tumble down Heartbreak Hill, and a killer wrestling match in The Pit), and then details the final few agonizing feet of Ropeburn that basically did him in. He talks preparation, gear, and first-day nerves meeting Steve Austin!
Sarah and Dimity welcome back Bethany Meyer, who recorded the show less than 48 hours after completing her first 26.2, the prestigious Boston Marathon, as part of Team Stonyfield. The mother runners agree Bethany delivers the best line ever on an AMR podcast, then she moves on to describing the race section by section. (Or, as she divided it, “GU by GU by GU.” Complete with a Bahston accent, Bethany repeats race advice she got from a seasoned Boston Marathoner. Find out why the race became “magical” after Mile 10 or 11, and why it became, “just a 5-mile jog” after infamous Heartbreak Hill. Along the way, Bethany coins an excellent phrase, “marathon drunk.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The RunRunLive 4.0 Podcast Episode 4-309 – Anne – Laura and 50 states by age 25 (Audio: link) [audio:http://www.RunRunLive.com/PodcastEpisodes/epi439.mp3] Link epi4309.mp3 Intro Bumper: https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamHoytBoston2015/fundraiser/christopherrussell Man, what a week! I'm tired. I raced the Eastern States 20 miler on Sunday. It was the 20th anniversary race and they were back to the original course which starts in Kittery Maine, crosses over into Portsmouth, runs the entire coastline of New Hampshire and ends in Massachusetts. You get 3 states in one race. I didn't really know how to manage the race going in. I have been logging 40ish miles a week for a while and have done several 3 hour long runs but I've done almost no tempo or speed. The summary would be that I'm in really good aerobic shape but lacking the sharp edge of racing. And, for those of you not paying attention, the reason I can't do the tempo and speed is that I have a heart condition, ‘exercise induced' A-fib that I've developed over the last couple years where later in a workout, under load my heartbeat becomes irregular. I'm going in to get that fixed in May but I have to drag my old self through the Boston Marathon course first! And, for those of you really not paying attention, this is Chris, your host, and this is the RunRunLive Podcast where we consider the transformational power of endurance sport. From now on, try to pay attention. There were 5 of us from my club at the race but we weren't running together because we were at different goal levels. I planned to just sort of hang back and let the race come to me and keep a watchful eye on the heart rate. But, any of you who have raced with me know how that usually goes. I'm an excitable boy, and, as usual I struggled to stay slow and knocked off the early miles 45 – 50 seconds a mile faster than my ‘safe' goal. I was worried I'd fall apart at the end but I felt great. The A-fib did kick in for the last few miles but I never crashed and my legs were solid and I wasn't sore at all on Monday. We got a great day for racing. It was sunny and mid-30's. There was a bit of a head wind, but nothing that was unmanageable. This course is nice and flat. I've probably run this race a dozen times. All-in-all it was an excellent outing. I had a blast. I have to be careful with my exuberance. Even though it was a good 20 mile run, that only gets you to the base of Heartbreak Hill and for the last 10k my heart was whacking around in my chest like a deranged hamster. While I was sorting through the race photos this week I actually paid for one it was so good. I usually don't bother with race photos. The camera isn't that kind to me in general and I'm too cheap to pay the exorbitant prices, but this was a great picture that captured how much fun I was having and was only $10 for the digital. We have a great show for you today. In the first section I'm going to look at how road races have changed over the 25 years I've been running them and what that may or may not mean for us. In the interview we have the final guest interview that was recorded for me at the end of last summer (sorry Anne and Laura for the delay in getting it out!) Anne interviews Laura who set the record as the youngest person to run all 50 US states. She did it by the age of 25. She recounts how she started as an adamant ‘non-runner' just trying to get to one mile and some of the wonderful, transformative life lessons she learned along the way. The final section is a super interesting (and maybe creepy) social experiment that I was running on strangers while traveling this week using the tools of the Pick Up Artists. Props to my coach, Jeff from PRSFit. I told him in January that I couldn't so any speedwork but I still wanted to race Boston and we figured out how to work with what we had. All long, slow, build, aerobic training. I can feel the results in my runs over the last 3 weeks and I can see the strength in my body. Just goes to show you folks, where there is a will there's a way. On with the Show! Section one - Running Tips 7 ways road races have changed in a generation http://runrunlive.com/7-ways-road-races-have-changed-in-one-generation Voices of reason – the interviews Laura @50by25 Management consultant who became the youngest woman to run a marathon in all 50 states, while still enjoying her margaritas. Sometimes simultaneously. I began writing this blog in December 2007 under the title “Absolut(ly) Fit.” I chose the name to reflect a belief that I had then (and still have today): the best way to live a healthy and happy lifestyle is to maintain balance. Of course it's good for your body to work out and eat healthy food most of the time, but it's also good for your spirit to eat the foods you enjoy. Perhaps you want to set an ambitious goal like training for a marathon – but in the pursuit of that, you don't need to give up everything else in order to succeed. Case in point – heading straight from my 2nd marathon to visit my favorite winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle I didn't always have this philosophy of balance. Growing up, I preferred musical theater to sports, and never understood how someone could do both. In my mind, you were either artsy or sporty – but never both. I began to challenge this and other assumptions while doing a college internship in Sarasota, Florida. Finding it difficult to make friends in a strange place, I told myself that I could either be miserable and have a terrible summer, or I could make the best of it and spend the time trying to improve myself in some way. I decided that I was going to do two things I had previously thought impossible: learn to cook and learn to run. Lounging and drinking in the ocean? Don't worry, I still made time for that! The cooking was easy; the running was a bit harder. I had defined my goal as being able to run one mile without stopping, and lacking any better running equipment, I drove my car in a loop around the neighborhood until the odometer read one mile – that was how far I needed to go. For two months I pounded the pavement, working my way up to running more and walking less of that distance. By the end of the summer I had not only been able to run my one mile “course ” without stopping, but I also completed a 5K race (though that was with plenty of walk breaks)! I was so proud of myself, and told everyone I knew. But after running one mile, I wondered – could I run two miles? How about three? I gradually increased my distance, completing a 5 mile race, then a 10K (6.2 miles), and eventually a 10 miler. In December 2007, shortly after starting “Absolut(ly) Fit”, I decided it would be my New Year's resolution to complete a half marathon by the end of the year. I smashed that resolution before the end of the month when I ran theManhattan Half Marathon in Central Park. I was shocked that I had been able to complete it – I thought for sure I was pushing my limits further than I could go. But I did it, and now I wondered – could I somehow complete a full marathon? I started adding more miles on to my “training sessions” (which were actually just early Saturday morning attempts to burn off the calories of the alcohol and late-night pizza/tacos/etc I had consumed with my friends the night before). I didn't follow a real training plan, but typically tried to add five to ten minutes onto whatever I had done the last time I went for a run, and that gradual increase helped me to progress injury-free. I didn't worry about how fast I was going, and instead focused on enjoying the gorgeous views and surprisingly quiet calm of Manhattan on a weekend morning. But while it wasn't too hard to do just another five to ten minutes than I had done the week before, the extra mileage was adding up – until one weekend morning, I ran 22 miles! Although I hadn't been following a formal training plan, I had read enough to know that most marathon training plans stopped around 22 miles… so it seemed that I was ready to go the full distance. I signed up for the Vermont City Marathon a few weeks later, selecting it in large part because it was sponsored by Ben and Jerry's and promised free ice cream at the finish. If anything was going to get me to run 26.2 miles, it was ice cream! My mom and my best friend came to cheer me on, holding signs that said “run to the ice cream, Laura!” That motivation certainly helped – whenever I saw their signs, you can bet that I ran a little faster! Of course I had some soul-searching, “why did I sign up for this” moments in the last few miles (what first-time marathoner doesn't?), but within a few minutes after the finish line, the memories of the tough times were completely replaced by pride of accomplishment. I did it! Proud marathoner with ice cream in hand! In fact, I was so elated that instead of wanting to stop there, I decided to run another marathon. And another after that. To this day, no matter how many marathons I've run, there is nothing like that feeling of conquering the impossible I get when I cross a marathon finish line. It never gets old! I set a new ambitious goal for myself – to run a marathon in each U.S. state by my 25th birthday – and completed it on June 6, 2010, just two years and one week after I completed my first marathon. In doing so, I broke the world record as the youngest woman to run a marathon in all 50 states. I didn't stop there, though – in November 2013, I ran my 100th marathon to become the youngest member of the 100 Marathon Club. As of this writing (December 2014), I've run 105 marathons in 50 US states, one US territory, and six countries. Seconds after achieving my 50by25 goal, I'm in disbelief. While I was working toward my “50 marathons by my 25th birthday” challenge, I picked up the 50by25 moniker – and now that I'm a bit older and perhaps not quite so focused on college drinking games and the NYC bar scene, I thought rebranding my blog to 50by25 would make more sense. Yes, I've already completed the 50by25 goal and want to move onto new challenges. However, I think the short-and-sweet 50by25 phrase is a great example of how to set a goal, break it up into manageable chunks, and achieve it. It's quantifiable, it's timebound, and for me, it provided something inspiring enough to work toward that I didn't give up even when things got tough. 50by25 is a huge part of who I am today, and a reminder that I can do the “impossible.” Of course I hope to accomplish more in my life and not just rest on my laurels from here on out, but 50by25 was really the perfect quest and serves as a great template for future endeavors. Though I still run marathons (and write about them on the blog), you'll find that my blog now focuses a lot on goal setting, productivity, and travel in addition to the usual health and fitness topics. I think mastering these activities is the best way to enjoy life and attain true happiness, and I'm eager to learn and share as much as I can about those topics! If you're not sure where to start, check out my top posts page that I put together for new visitors. Thanks for coming by, and if you have any questions, always feel free to leave a comment on a post or contact me anytime :) Section Two – Life Lessons Make them smile - http://runrunlive.com/one-powerful-easy-small-habit Outro Oi! Oi! Oi! Come on! Let's have some energy! Pick it up buttercup! Mmmmm… Got a little bit of rumbly in my tumbly today. Had to make not one, but two pit stops in the woods on my run. Feeling a bit jet lagged. I've got a funky playlist going now and I'm tapping out this semi-screed for you. Or, I guess for us. I had a funny idea for a short story based in the not-so-distant future where the people who come in last in the race get all the prizes and praise. No one wants to win because the winners get tied to a post and stoned for being un-feeling bastards. I forgot to tell you folks that I've been steadily upgrading my hardware. I got the new iPhone 6 and I really like it. Not the super big one the ‘just a little bigger' one. And I replaced my laptop with a Surface Pro 3 a couple months ago and I've grown to like it, especially for travel. And finally, I lost those Bluetooth headphones that Hilton sent me, ironically by leaving them in a Marriott. I like the no-strings attached option though and I've bought another pair. These are called an Mpow Cheetah Sport Bluetooth 4.1 Headphone. They are good but they go all the way into the ear canal which can be uncomfortable and dangerous because you really can't hear anything else. So far my toxic body juices haven't killed them but the battery life seems to be maybe 4 hours. And of course the microphone sucks if you wanted to use them to talk on the phone. When I was up at the start I had a great chat with Team Hoyt. Rick and Dick were there as well as Bryan Lyons who is pushing Rick in the longer races now. I was talking to Dick, who still pushes Rick in the shorter races. Dick was telling me how he was having back pain and now that he was retired he's got a physio coach and has been doing core work every day and he feels great. Does it ever feel to you like everyone is having the same conversations at the same time? Dick was telling me about how great having a strong core is. He's 75 years old! I wanted to thank all of you who helped me make my goal for fund raising for Team Hoyt for Boston. I hope to get Bryan on before the race, in the next show. He was nervous, telling me he's not good with ‘media' – makes me laugh – like I'm Geraldo or something. Did some math and figured out that I've got somewhere around 5-600 miles on these Hokas. They still feel fine but I can feel them getting a little ‘loose'. Time to start looking for a new pair of something. I'm not going to change horses before Boston. But, as a lesson, don't do what I do, which is to run in a pair of shoes until your knees start hurting. You should always have a couple pair in rotation and switch back and forth so you don't get ‘repetitive' injuries. Well my lovelies I have to let you go. I'm so far behind in my work that I may never dig out and it's Friday afternoon. My motivation and energy flows from me and spreads like a dark puddle across the hardwood floor. The warmth of a comforting bed, the friendly embrace of the couch and the warm dopamine drip of procrastination are sucking at my mind. Last week I played hooky one weekday afternoon and went into China town with my daughter. We had a blast knocking around the Chinese shops and eating at a Shabu Shabu place. We didn't roll back home until around 8:00 PM. I had still had to get my run in. The weather had taken a turn from the better. It wasn't snowing and the hulking drifts had retreated from the roads a bit. There was not a cloud in the sky. There was not a breath of wind. There was a 1/4 moon and a sky full of stars. It was about 28 degrees – warm enough to allow some freedom from the atrocious and common winter bulk of accoutrements of the past 3 months. A soundless night. I made my way over through the old neighborhood where I bought my first little house and settled with my new bride in 1985 at the age of 22. I remember struggling to run a 2 mile loop there as I started my fitful return to fitness in my late 20's. I ran down the sidewalks of my life and looked in the windows of my memories and felt at peace and full of joy. I remembered the nights like this when all is effortless and joyful are the reason I train and race and strive. It's the quiet and beautiful moments that sneak up on you while you are busy living that teach you how precious living is. I'll see you out there. https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamHoytBoston2015/fundraiser/christopherrussell http://www.grotonroadrace.com/ Closing comments http://runrunlive.com/my-books
The RunRunLive 4.0 Podcast Episode 4-309 – Anne – Laura and 50 states by age 25 (Audio: link) [audio:http://www.RunRunLive.com/PodcastEpisodes/epi439.mp3] Link epi4309.mp3 Intro Bumper: https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamHoytBoston2015/fundraiser/christopherrussell Man, what a week! I’m tired. I raced the Eastern States 20 miler on Sunday. It was the 20th anniversary race and they were back to the original course which starts in Kittery Maine, crosses over into Portsmouth, runs the entire coastline of New Hampshire and ends in Massachusetts. You get 3 states in one race. I didn’t really know how to manage the race going in. I have been logging 40ish miles a week for a while and have done several 3 hour long runs but I’ve done almost no tempo or speed. The summary would be that I’m in really good aerobic shape but lacking the sharp edge of racing. And, for those of you not paying attention, the reason I can’t do the tempo and speed is that I have a heart condition, ‘exercise induced’ A-fib that I’ve developed over the last couple years where later in a workout, under load my heartbeat becomes irregular. I’m going in to get that fixed in May but I have to drag my old self through the Boston Marathon course first! And, for those of you really not paying attention, this is Chris, your host, and this is the RunRunLive Podcast where we consider the transformational power of endurance sport. From now on, try to pay attention. There were 5 of us from my club at the race but we weren’t running together because we were at different goal levels. I planned to just sort of hang back and let the race come to me and keep a watchful eye on the heart rate. But, any of you who have raced with me know how that usually goes. I’m an excitable boy, and, as usual I struggled to stay slow and knocked off the early miles 45 – 50 seconds a mile faster than my ‘safe’ goal. I was worried I’d fall apart at the end but I felt great. The A-fib did kick in for the last few miles but I never crashed and my legs were solid and I wasn’t sore at all on Monday. We got a great day for racing. It was sunny and mid-30’s. There was a bit of a head wind, but nothing that was unmanageable. This course is nice and flat. I’ve probably run this race a dozen times. All-in-all it was an excellent outing. I had a blast. I have to be careful with my exuberance. Even though it was a good 20 mile run, that only gets you to the base of Heartbreak Hill and for the last 10k my heart was whacking around in my chest like a deranged hamster. While I was sorting through the race photos this week I actually paid for one it was so good. I usually don’t bother with race photos. The camera isn’t that kind to me in general and I’m too cheap to pay the exorbitant prices, but this was a great picture that captured how much fun I was having and was only $10 for the digital. We have a great show for you today. In the first section I’m going to look at how road races have changed over the 25 years I’ve been running them and what that may or may not mean for us. In the interview we have the final guest interview that was recorded for me at the end of last summer (sorry Anne and Laura for the delay in getting it out!) Anne interviews Laura who set the record as the youngest person to run all 50 US states. She did it by the age of 25. She recounts how she started as an adamant ‘non-runner’ just trying to get to one mile and some of the wonderful, transformative life lessons she learned along the way. The final section is a super interesting (and maybe creepy) social experiment that I was running on strangers while traveling this week using the tools of the Pick Up Artists. Props to my coach, Jeff from PRSFit. I told him in January that I couldn’t so any speedwork but I still wanted to race Boston and we figured out how to work with what we had. All long, slow, build, aerobic training. I can feel the results in my runs over the last 3 weeks and I can see the strength in my body. Just goes to show you folks, where there is a will there’s a way. On with the Show! Section one - Running Tips 7 ways road races have changed in a generation http://runrunlive.com/7-ways-road-races-have-changed-in-one-generation Voices of reason – the interviews Laura @50by25 Management consultant who became the youngest woman to run a marathon in all 50 states, while still enjoying her margaritas. Sometimes simultaneously. I began writing this blog in December 2007 under the title “Absolut(ly) Fit.” I chose the name to reflect a belief that I had then (and still have today): the best way to live a healthy and happy lifestyle is to maintain balance. Of course it’s good for your body to work out and eat healthy food most of the time, but it’s also good for your spirit to eat the foods you enjoy. Perhaps you want to set an ambitious goal like training for a marathon – but in the pursuit of that, you don’t need to give up everything else in order to succeed. Case in point – heading straight from my 2nd marathon to visit my favorite winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle I didn’t always have this philosophy of balance. Growing up, I preferred musical theater to sports, and never understood how someone could do both. In my mind, you were either artsy or sporty – but never both. I began to challenge this and other assumptions while doing a college internship in Sarasota, Florida. Finding it difficult to make friends in a strange place, I told myself that I could either be miserable and have a terrible summer, or I could make the best of it and spend the time trying to improve myself in some way. I decided that I was going to do two things I had previously thought impossible: learn to cook and learn to run. Lounging and drinking in the ocean? Don’t worry, I still made time for that! The cooking was easy; the running was a bit harder. I had defined my goal as being able to run one mile without stopping, and lacking any better running equipment, I drove my car in a loop around the neighborhood until the odometer read one mile – that was how far I needed to go. For two months I pounded the pavement, working my way up to running more and walking less of that distance. By the end of the summer I had not only been able to run my one mile “course ” without stopping, but I also completed a 5K race (though that was with plenty of walk breaks)! I was so proud of myself, and told everyone I knew. But after running one mile, I wondered – could I run two miles? How about three? I gradually increased my distance, completing a 5 mile race, then a 10K (6.2 miles), and eventually a 10 miler. In December 2007, shortly after starting “Absolut(ly) Fit”, I decided it would be my New Year’s resolution to complete a half marathon by the end of the year. I smashed that resolution before the end of the month when I ran theManhattan Half Marathon in Central Park. I was shocked that I had been able to complete it – I thought for sure I was pushing my limits further than I could go. But I did it, and now I wondered – could I somehow complete a full marathon? I started adding more miles on to my “training sessions” (which were actually just early Saturday morning attempts to burn off the calories of the alcohol and late-night pizza/tacos/etc I had consumed with my friends the night before). I didn’t follow a real training plan, but typically tried to add five to ten minutes onto whatever I had done the last time I went for a run, and that gradual increase helped me to progress injury-free. I didn’t worry about how fast I was going, and instead focused on enjoying the gorgeous views and surprisingly quiet calm of Manhattan on a weekend morning. But while it wasn’t too hard to do just another five to ten minutes than I had done the week before, the extra mileage was adding up – until one weekend morning, I ran 22 miles! Although I hadn’t been following a formal training plan, I had read enough to know that most marathon training plans stopped around 22 miles… so it seemed that I was ready to go the full distance. I signed up for the Vermont City Marathon a few weeks later, selecting it in large part because it was sponsored by Ben and Jerry’s and promised free ice cream at the finish. If anything was going to get me to run 26.2 miles, it was ice cream! My mom and my best friend came to cheer me on, holding signs that said “run to the ice cream, Laura!” That motivation certainly helped – whenever I saw their signs, you can bet that I ran a little faster! Of course I had some soul-searching, “why did I sign up for this” moments in the last few miles (what first-time marathoner doesn’t?), but within a few minutes after the finish line, the memories of the tough times were completely replaced by pride of accomplishment. I did it! Proud marathoner with ice cream in hand! In fact, I was so elated that instead of wanting to stop there, I decided to run another marathon. And another after that. To this day, no matter how many marathons I’ve run, there is nothing like that feeling of conquering the impossible I get when I cross a marathon finish line. It never gets old! I set a new ambitious goal for myself – to run a marathon in each U.S. state by my 25th birthday – and completed it on June 6, 2010, just two years and one week after I completed my first marathon. In doing so, I broke the world record as the youngest woman to run a marathon in all 50 states. I didn’t stop there, though – in November 2013, I ran my 100th marathon to become the youngest member of the 100 Marathon Club. As of this writing (December 2014), I’ve run 105 marathons in 50 US states, one US territory, and six countries. Seconds after achieving my 50by25 goal, I’m in disbelief. While I was working toward my “50 marathons by my 25th birthday” challenge, I picked up the 50by25 moniker – and now that I’m a bit older and perhaps not quite so focused on college drinking games and the NYC bar scene, I thought rebranding my blog to 50by25 would make more sense. Yes, I’ve already completed the 50by25 goal and want to move onto new challenges. However, I think the short-and-sweet 50by25 phrase is a great example of how to set a goal, break it up into manageable chunks, and achieve it. It’s quantifiable, it’s timebound, and for me, it provided something inspiring enough to work toward that I didn’t give up even when things got tough. 50by25 is a huge part of who I am today, and a reminder that I can do the “impossible.” Of course I hope to accomplish more in my life and not just rest on my laurels from here on out, but 50by25 was really the perfect quest and serves as a great template for future endeavors. Though I still run marathons (and write about them on the blog), you’ll find that my blog now focuses a lot on goal setting, productivity, and travel in addition to the usual health and fitness topics. I think mastering these activities is the best way to enjoy life and attain true happiness, and I’m eager to learn and share as much as I can about those topics! If you’re not sure where to start, check out my top posts page that I put together for new visitors. Thanks for coming by, and if you have any questions, always feel free to leave a comment on a post or contact me anytime :) Section Two – Life Lessons Make them smile - http://runrunlive.com/one-powerful-easy-small-habit Outro Oi! Oi! Oi! Come on! Let’s have some energy! Pick it up buttercup! Mmmmm… Got a little bit of rumbly in my tumbly today. Had to make not one, but two pit stops in the woods on my run. Feeling a bit jet lagged. I’ve got a funky playlist going now and I’m tapping out this semi-screed for you. Or, I guess for us. I had a funny idea for a short story based in the not-so-distant future where the people who come in last in the race get all the prizes and praise. No one wants to win because the winners get tied to a post and stoned for being un-feeling bastards. I forgot to tell you folks that I’ve been steadily upgrading my hardware. I got the new iPhone 6 and I really like it. Not the super big one the ‘just a little bigger’ one. And I replaced my laptop with a Surface Pro 3 a couple months ago and I’ve grown to like it, especially for travel. And finally, I lost those Bluetooth headphones that Hilton sent me, ironically by leaving them in a Marriott. I like the no-strings attached option though and I’ve bought another pair. These are called an Mpow Cheetah Sport Bluetooth 4.1 Headphone. They are good but they go all the way into the ear canal which can be uncomfortable and dangerous because you really can’t hear anything else. So far my toxic body juices haven’t killed them but the battery life seems to be maybe 4 hours. And of course the microphone sucks if you wanted to use them to talk on the phone. When I was up at the start I had a great chat with Team Hoyt. Rick and Dick were there as well as Bryan Lyons who is pushing Rick in the longer races now. I was talking to Dick, who still pushes Rick in the shorter races. Dick was telling me how he was having back pain and now that he was retired he’s got a physio coach and has been doing core work every day and he feels great. Does it ever feel to you like everyone is having the same conversations at the same time? Dick was telling me about how great having a strong core is. He’s 75 years old! I wanted to thank all of you who helped me make my goal for fund raising for Team Hoyt for Boston. I hope to get Bryan on before the race, in the next show. He was nervous, telling me he’s not good with ‘media’ – makes me laugh – like I’m Geraldo or something. Did some math and figured out that I’ve got somewhere around 5-600 miles on these Hokas. They still feel fine but I can feel them getting a little ‘loose’. Time to start looking for a new pair of something. I’m not going to change horses before Boston. But, as a lesson, don’t do what I do, which is to run in a pair of shoes until your knees start hurting. You should always have a couple pair in rotation and switch back and forth so you don’t get ‘repetitive’ injuries. Well my lovelies I have to let you go. I’m so far behind in my work that I may never dig out and it’s Friday afternoon. My motivation and energy flows from me and spreads like a dark puddle across the hardwood floor. The warmth of a comforting bed, the friendly embrace of the couch and the warm dopamine drip of procrastination are sucking at my mind. Last week I played hooky one weekday afternoon and went into China town with my daughter. We had a blast knocking around the Chinese shops and eating at a Shabu Shabu place. We didn’t roll back home until around 8:00 PM. I had still had to get my run in. The weather had taken a turn from the better. It wasn’t snowing and the hulking drifts had retreated from the roads a bit. There was not a cloud in the sky. There was not a breath of wind. There was a 1/4 moon and a sky full of stars. It was about 28 degrees – warm enough to allow some freedom from the atrocious and common winter bulk of accoutrements of the past 3 months. A soundless night. I made my way over through the old neighborhood where I bought my first little house and settled with my new bride in 1985 at the age of 22. I remember struggling to run a 2 mile loop there as I started my fitful return to fitness in my late 20’s. I ran down the sidewalks of my life and looked in the windows of my memories and felt at peace and full of joy. I remembered the nights like this when all is effortless and joyful are the reason I train and race and strive. It’s the quiet and beautiful moments that sneak up on you while you are busy living that teach you how precious living is. I’ll see you out there. https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamHoytBoston2015/fundraiser/christopherrussell http://www.grotonroadrace.com/ Closing comments http://runrunlive.com/my-books
Pastor Andy Davis preaches on Galatians 5:6-12, and alerts us to the danger of false teaching and the relationship between works and faith after justification. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - I think it was May of 2002. I just asked my wife about this. It was our anniversary and I wanted to do something special. So I drove home and surprised her, I'd gotten Chick-Fil-A, I think. I don't think it was anything that spectacular but it was a surprise and I wanted for us to just have a surprise little meal together. Our home is at place called Little River Lake and it's a pretty place. We'd walk around it a lot and enjoyed being there. We just sat there in some chairs that we had brought and we started to eat when suddenly, some authority figure, I don't know if he was a ranger or a policeman, but somebody came up and started questioning us very closely about what we were doing. Keep in mind, that was May of 2002, just a few months after the 9/11 attacks. And that Little River Lake is a reservoir of drinking water for the City of Durham. I guess my wife and I looked like, maybe bio-terrorists, I'm not sure. But he sensed that there was some danger as we were eating our Chick-Fil-A. I was thinking probable cause might have helped there or something… But I was thinking about that in light of the sermon and the text that I'm about to preach. There was a tremendous zeal on the part of the governing authorities to protect the purity of the drinking water of the city. And there was a concern, a danger that that water would be poisoned and they were concerned to protect the water so that people could be healthy. I'm about to preach a sermon about the danger of false doctrine. And if there is a danger to drinking water at that time, there's a far greater danger to your souls of false doctrine. And I want you to know that it is part of my ministry, part of my life, to protect this church from false doctrine. That's part of our calling as elders. It's a privilege and a joy. And as we look at this text today, as we see Paul passionate (really passionate!) and I would have to say angry at the false teachers who have come to trouble the churches that he planted. We can learn a very important lesson. All of us can learn an important lesson of the importance of pure doctrine in our souls, not just for the initial moment of justification, but for the race that we have to run after that. We see that in this text. We see Paul displaying his passion for the glory of God in the spiritual health of his church. And we see his hatred for false teaching. My desire, my prayer is that, as you listen to this text and as you try to understand its challenging verses, that there'll be something rising up inside of you that mirrors what Paul was feeling, that you would have a yearning for the health of this church, a desire that our church be healthy spiritually, doctrinally healthy. And that we would be vigilant, ever vigilant, over the mental, the doctrinal life of this church and that we would fight for it. We're going to walk through this text. We're going to try to understand it, but you have the central idea and application already, and that is that we must be constantly vigilant and on guard against false doctrine. Now, Paul begins in verse 6 with an interesting expression, "Faith working through love." Faith working through love. This is a great transformation, a great change that has happened in redemptive history. I just thanked God in my pastoral prayer for that new covenant. By the new covenant we have access into the presence of God and with that new covenant, comes an end to spiritual, ceremonial laws and regulations that are no longer binding on us. A great change has happened now, and you see that reflected in verse 6, it says, "For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith working through love." Paul's continuing to unfold the themes of this letter. We understand from context that Paul had planted some churches in Galatia, modern day Turkey. He had been there as a church planner and apostle. He had preached the pure gospel of faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life in fulfillment of prophecy died on the cross in the place of sinners. He shed his blood so that we would be free from the wrath and judgment and curse of God. He became a curse for us so that we might stand blameless and unafraid and unashamed on judgment day, freed from condemnation. Jesus died for us. If you repent and believe in him, you can be free from condemnation too. You can be free from your sins. You can be forgiven of all of your sins. If you're not a Christian, if you've been invited here today, what I just said is the most important thing you'll hear in your entire life and the most important thing you'll hear in a sermon, that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God for your salvation. I plead with you, don't leave this place unconverted. Trust in Christ. See with new eyes. See with the eyes of faith, Almighty God, holy, pure, sitting on his throne to judge heaven and earth. And see with new eyes yourself as defiled and sinful and corrupt under the law of God, covetous and lustful and selfish and irritable and lazy, and all of those sins we struggle with. That they are defilements and they are ultimately sins against the holy God, and that you could not save yourself, but God yearned to save you and sent his son. He yearns to give you the kingdom as he said, "Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." And he yearns to make you eternally joyful with pleasures at God's right hand forever more. If you will just repent and believe in him, you'll have all of this as a free gift. Trust in Christ. Those of you that have already been justified, maybe even long ago, take that message out into the workplace this week. Alright. Take that message to your acquaintances and your neighbors and people out of college campus and people that you know. Let them know, they need to hear it. Paul planted these Galatian churches with the pure gospel but sometime after he left, some false teachers came in, Jewish people who claimed to be Christians who are honoring Jesus, and said they believed in Jesus and all that. But they were preaching a poisonous gospel, they were poisoning the spiritual water system of the Galatian churches. They were dumping poison in it and the poison was this: it was a combination gospel of faith in Jesus Christ plus the works of the law. Faith in Christ plus obedience of the law of Moses saved your soul. That's how you are justified, how you are made right in the sight of God, and that is a poisonous false teaching. I. Faith Working Through Love Now in Galatians chapter 5, Paul trying to finish up and protect the freedom that Christ bought for them with his precious blood shed on the cross. And there in 5:1, it was for freedom that Christ set you free. So stand firm. We need to protect that freedom. It's going to be assaulted by false doctrine. He's talking about that, Christ died to set them free. Free from the law's meticulous commands. Free from the law's power to condemn. But that freedom is fragile and we have to stand firm and defend it against Satan and against Satan's world, but specifically, here against the Judaizers. These Judaizers are false teachers who are trying to mix Jesus and Moses and made a poisonous gospel. You need to stand firm against that. And he had reminded them that submitting to the ritual of circumcision (a spiritual Jewish ritual done on boy babies eight days old, demonstrating a stepping into the Jewish covenant, the old covenant, the mosaic law) made Christ of no value to them. But these Judaizers are saying that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and required them to obey the law of Moses to be saved. They were under obligation to keep the whole law. Even worse, to accept such a redefinition of the gospel, which is no gospel at all, would mean that Christ was of no value at all. What would happen is, Moses would get bigger and bigger and bigger all the time and Jesus would get smaller and smaller and smaller all the time. Because daily, you'd have to obey that law and you can't keep it. And so Christ would be of no value at all. And they were trying to finish in the flesh and their own effort by law keeping what God had begun by sovereign grace. He's picking right up there. And at the end, he gives them the blessings of the true gospel. Look at verse 5. This is the verse that we finished up with last time. "But by faith, we eagerly await through the spirit the righteousness for which we hope." Wow, that's one of those dense apostle Paul's statements that you can just take a long time to unpack. But the implications of this is that having been justified, there's still a journey to travel. And there's still a righteousness yet to come for us. And that's a practical real righteousness affecting how we think and live all the time. And that journey of sanctification is culminating in glorification in which God will instantaneously finish it, and you'll be as holy and pure as Jesus in every way. And we're hoping for that. Aren't you hoping for that? And I'm yearning for it. That is my hope, that someday I'll be done with sin. Amen! Hallelujah! And I won't be tempted anymore. I will be free last from all of it. "The implications of this is that having been justified, there's still a journey to travel... and that journey of sanctification is culminating in glorification in which God will instantaneously finish it, and you'll be as holy and pure as Jesus in every way." And I have this righteousness, my own righteousness, for which I hope to be just like Jesus. And I hunger and I thirst for that righteousness. But now, it says in verse five, by faith we're eagerly awaiting and I'm confident I'm going to have it. By faith, I know he's going to give it to me as a gift. And through the spirit, I am working my way toward it but I know I'll never perfectly attain it. But I'm yearning to keep the law, the moral law by the spirit. I want to love God with all my heart, love my neighbors as myself. I want to walk and be more and more like Jesus. I know I'll never be perfect in this life, but I know someday I will, by the grace of God. That's a whole different way of living, isn't it? Rather than that legalism that the Judaizers were giving? This brings us to the passage we're looking at today. In verse 6, he says, "for in Christ Jesus…" Now that you're Christian, that's language for now that you've been adopted in Christ, you have come to faith in Christ, now that you're in this whole new realm of existence in the new covenant in Christ Jesus, "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything but only faith working through love. " Now that they are Christians, circumcision is spiritually irrelevant. There may be physical reasons to be circumcised but there are no spiritual reasons. This verse is clearly teaching that. Do you see that? There is no advantage whatsoever to being circumcised and frankly, there's no advantage whatsoever to being uncircumcised. It doesn't matter at all. It's irrelevant. Circumcision as a significant issue with God has become obsolete. That's the word that Book of Hebrews uses, obsolete. The time for that has passed. It's over. What does matter? Well, what does matter is a genuine new creation by the spirit of God. That's what matters. Has your heart been circumcised of wickedness and sin? Have you had the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit? Have you been given a new nature? Has the heart of stone been taken out and the heart of flesh been put inside you? You have a new nature. You now love what God loves and hate what God hates and more and more so as you grow. Do you have a new nature? That's what matters. If you look ahead, he says about the same thing in 6:15. Just look ahead. Maybe you don't have to turn the page or maybe you do, but Galatians 6:15, it says "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation." You see that? It's the same teaching. What counts is a new creation. Now, if you go back to 5:6, the way I put it together is "A new creation resulting in a life of the works of love" that's what's going to happen. The new creation person lives a life of good works, they do. They live lots of good works, they do lots of good works, their works of love done by faith. Now, we come to this issue of faith working through love. Faith working through love and this is a very challenging thing to try to understand, the relationship between faith and works. And many theologians have written many books about it. The NIV and its translation here I think rather unhelpfully tries to smooth things out of a bit by giving us this, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." But I think just leave it simply faith working through love. This sits side by side, faith working. Alright. And the reason that's so strong is because up to this point, in Galatians, it's been faith or works. They've been actually set at odds against each other. They're somewhat like enemies, and it's easy to misunderstand then how it all works. If you look back at Galatians 2:16 for example, talking about justification, says, "We know that a person is not justified…" Now, that word means forgiven of sins. It means made right in the sight of God, justified. How is a sinner like us made right in God's sight? How can I be made right? How can I be forgiven? Justification is the theological word for that. "Now, we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Christ." You see works and faith are set at odds there in the verse. There are alternate ways of being justified, and one of them actually you can't be justified by. "We also have believed in Christ Jesus in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law, no one will be justified." Faith and works are pitted almost against each other. There's two different ways of being trying to be justified, by works or by faith. And then he says the same thing in Galatians 3:2 "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" Again, works or faith. They're enemies. He does the same thing in many other writings. In Romans 4 he talks about Abraham. What did Abraham discover about this whole justification issue? He said "If in fact Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about but not before God. What does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Now, when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trust God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited to him as righteousness." There couldn't be a clearer pitting of works versus faith ever than right there in Romans 4. Up to this point, it's been they've been somewhat like enemies. Romans 9:32, it says "The Jews did not pursue righteousness by faith but as if it were based on works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone." Here's the thing. When it comes to the issue of justification, when it comes to the issue of forgiveness of sins, faith and works are opposites. They're just two different ways to live, two different ways to try to be justified before God. I had a witnessing opportunity in the plane yesterday and basically, I heard that same kind of marketplace approach to guilt. I asked a question I like to ask in witnessing, "Do you ever feel guilty?" I think, Carl, you really taught me this. I love this. "Do you ever feel guilty and what do you do with your guilt?" And he said "Well, what I try to do is I understand what I did and I ask forgiveness and I try to do better." Have you ever heard that? That's what people try to do. That's what it means to be justified by works. Now, those that are really religious learn a lot of laws and try to be justified that way. The opposite is being justified by simple faith in Christ, whom we look as to a savior, and we don't trust in ourselves anymore. And we say “I can't save myself and Jesus is the Savior.” They (faith and works) have been at odds when it comes to justification but once you're justified, everything changes. And once you're justified, now you are commanded to do a whole ream of good works that are commanded in the new testament and in the old. All kinds of laws and rules and regulations that we now need to follow, but not for justification, not for the forgiveness of sins. "They (faith and works) have been at odds when it comes to justification but once you're justified, everything changes. And once you're justified, now you are commanded to do a whole ream of good works that are commanded in the new testament and in the old." Friends, what can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Not your righteousness, not your works, only trusting in him. I think Ephesians 2:8-10 puts it together better than any other passage that I can find, there's so many good passage that we could look at. You know how it says in the Ephesians 2:8 and following says "For by grace are you saved through faith; and this not from yourselves: It's the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast." There the word saved means justified, I believe, in that context. By grace, we have been justified, forgiven of all of our sins, saved from the wrath of God, by grace through faith and it's just a gift, not by works. Verse 10, "We are his workmanship." Now, he's working on you. "We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus." We're newly created, we've been made new creations to do good works which God set out in advance that we should walk in them. I think that puts it together beautifully, don't you? We've been justified not by works but by faith. But now, having being justified by faith, we now have a whole lifetime of good works to do. And I feel probably the number one thing I want to do every day is, "Oh God! Help me to do as many of those good works as you have laid out in front of me to walk in them." I want to get them all. I don't want to miss any of them. That's the way we put it together. Justification is by faith alone, by grace alone, not by works. But it inevitably, 100% of the time leads to sanctification, in which the rules change and we are commanded to work hard, work really hard, on growing in grace and the knowledge of Christ and doing good works. Martin Luther put it this way, "we're justified by faith alone but the faith that justifies is never alone." Okay? It's the fruit on the tree. It's not the cause for the tree of forgiveness, but it's the fruit of it. And when you are forgiven, you are adopted, you received the gift of Holy Spirit, you received a new nature, you're going to start doing good works and God's going to love them and they're beautiful things and he wants as many of those good works as you can do but not for the forgiveness of your sins. That's what he's talking about. Faith working through love. In his introduction to Romans, Luther said that, "Saving faith is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith." It's alive. It's powerful, this faith is. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't stop to ask if good works ought to be done. Should good works be done? Faith doesn't do that. It just has already done them. It just acts. It just does the good works and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever. Did you hear that? No works, there wasn't any faith. It's the very thing that James says in James 2:26 says, "The body without the spirit is dead. So faith without works is dead." It's dead faith. Alright. In justification, it's faith or works, but in sanctification, it's definitely faith and works. They go together, or faith that produces works. It works out just like Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches. If someone remains in me and I in him will bear be much fruit, apart from me, you can do nothing." We have that life giving sap flowing through us and we produce fruit, produce good works, or Philippians 2:12 and 13, it says, "Therefore my dear friends, as you've always obeyed, not only in my presence but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." There is works, alright but he is definitely talking about sanctification there. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." God makes you willing and then he gives you energy and then you do those good works and that's what he's talking about. Faith working through love, and so it's working through love. That's so beautiful, isn't it? Our minds have been transformed. The carnal mind, the mind of the flesh hated God, hated God's laws, but now we love God and we love God's laws and we yearn to obey them. And that brings us again to the law of God. First and greatest Commandment, "Love the lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." We are now, through the spirit, able to love God and the second Commandment is like it, "Love your neighbor as yourself." You're going to be obeying the law now. You're law abiding citizens in the kingdom of God but not for justification. That's been settled. It's because that is the sweetest best way to live your life. You can't do better than loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself. It's the best life you can live and God wants you to live it and therefore, it says in Romans 8:4 very plainly, "In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us who do not live according to the flesh but according to the spirit." By the spirit, we keep the law and we live it and so therefore love keeps the law. Love does no harm to its neighbor, love doesn't commit adultery or murder or any of those things. Romans 13, "Love fulfills the law." And that's what Paul's saying here. Now he says you are running a good race. It's a metaphor for the Christian life, that race of sanctification. You are making progress, you are running that race, you're making effort. You were going, it was going well. You're doing good works. He likens then the good Christian life to a distance race, making progress towards the goal. I think tomorrow is the Boston marathon. Right, it's been a year. It's amazing how fast time flies. Isn't that amazing? It's been a year since all of that mayhem and all of that. I used to go down when I was a kid. I lived in Franzheim, it was at the 6 mile mark and I used to go down there and watch these guys. It was pretty disappointing. These are the world class marathoners coming to Boston, this is what I got to see. There is hundreds and hundreds of people there. I am like there, I got a field of vision like this. That was it. It's like watching the Bobsled or the Luge at the Olympics. What do you see? What was that? There goes Alberto Salazar, that was the big name when I was younger. "There they go. Alright, see you later" I don't know you are supposed to there for the next 25,000 runners that I don't know any of these people. I didn't think so. So I would leave. I was down there for two hours for about two seconds of sports watching. It was free though so that was good. But the marathon is a grueling 26.2 mile race and that Boston Marathon particularly diabolical because they tell you that in the marathon, the race feels half over at the 20 mile mark. You got half the race to go. Those last 6 miles are as hard as the first 20. And right there is this hill system on the Boston Marathon called Heartbreak Hill with the first one big, second one bigger, the third biggest, and there's all these masochistic people standing by the road watching 'em drop like flies. Say, "That's okay, you can get it next year," things like that, giving cups of Gatorade and all that. It's a tough race. And I think it's too far, 26 miles, but they're not going to change it. It's crazy. But, again and again, the New Testament likens the Christian life to a marathon, to a distance race. It's not a sprint. And we are to "run this race with endurance," it says in Hebrews. We're to "lay aside everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," and we're to run this race with endurance. And Paul says, "You were doing that." II. False Doctrine: A Persuasive, Spreading Hindrance But now he gets to this false doctrine, these false teachers, a persuasive, spreading hindrance, he calls it. Look at verse 7, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" This is a powerful image. "You were running well. It was going well. Who did this to you? Who cut in and stopped you?" False teachers said, in effect, jumped into their beautiful race and were tackling them or tying them with shackles, and they couldn't run anymore. Another sports illustration, you Alabama fans are going to hate me for this one, but I'm going to go ahead. 1954 Cotton Bowl, Rice was leading Alabama 7-6, when Rice running back, Dicky Maegle, broke into the clear and was running down the sidelines, in front of the Alabama bench. When suddenly, out of nowhere, came an Alabama player, Tommy Lewis, without his helmet on, jumped in and laid the guy down with a perfect open field tackle, and then ran back and sat on the bench like nothing had happened. I don't know if that incident replayed back in 1954, but the officials saw it and they awarded this guy a touchdown. I picture that. The Galatians were running in the clear, and somebody jumped in and tackled them and stopped them, with this legalistic false gospel that's no gospel at all. And he said the false doctrine promoted disobedience. "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" The gospel is something we obey. This is a command from the king of the universe. The time is at hand. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel. He's commanding us to believe. To believe the true gospel is a command that these people, the false teachers, were causing them to disobey the true gospel. They were keeping them from obeying the truth. And he says it's a kind of persuasion. "That kind of persuasion," he says, "does not come from the one who called you." The way I picture it is that they came to town, nobody knew them, they introduced themselves. They were Jewish Christians, and they were so excited, and they wanted to be part of the church... And then they worm their way in and started preaching their legalistic doctrines. And they started laying out the law of Moses and started talking about circumcision, proving by chapter and verse how everyone had to be circumcised. Probably showing the story about Moses and how his sons weren't circumcised, and how God wanted those boys to be circumcised, and all these. And they're doing all this, and it's very, very persuasive. Legalists can be intimidating, persuasive people. And you're looking at chapter and verse, and you start to crumble. And they were persuading them to disobey the truth, and it wasn't coming from the one who called them. Now, who's that? That's God. Almighty God had called them into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Almighty God didn't send these people. They were false teachers, like the old false prophets. God didn't send them. God said, "I didn't tell them to come say this. Who gave them the right to come and do this, and trouble my people? They have no right to do this." That didn't come from God. God called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. He didn't send these people. That kind of persuasion didn't come from the one who called you. Now, false doctrine always seems reasonable. It's got a kind of a reasonableness to it. That's why Satan masquerades as an angel of light. He masquerades as a truth-teller. And some of what he says seems so plausible. And our job in the ministry, in 2 Corinthians 10, is to wage war on the battlefield of words and ideas. We're blowing up false doctrines, blowing up bad words, bad ideas, not people. But we take every thought captive, and we destroy concepts and arguments and pretensions, not people. We blow up the doctrines, and got to fight because this false doctrine spreads poison. Look at verse 9, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." A little leaven leavens the whole lump. It's going to spread. It's already spreading. The idea has caught on little by little. First, you didn't know these people at all. Now, more and more, they worm their way in and they're talking this false poisonous doctrine, and it's spreading in. And not only that, so it is with circumcision. Don't think it's going to end there. If you allow yourself to be circumcised, oh Galatians, that's just the start. You feel a little guilty. You feel like you're not quite right with God. You need to do a little bit extra, a little bit more, so just go ahead and do the circumcision. It's really hard to imagine doing that, but do it and that'll settle it, right? No, it won't. Circumcision is just a doorway into a whole legalistic lifestyle, a mentality of needing to earn God's smile, needing to earn his favor and his forgiveness by your good works, and it never ends. It's slavery, not sonship. Paul says very plainly, Galatians 2:5, "We did not give in to them for a moment so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you." We were trying to protect the truth of the gospel, so we didn't yield even a little bit. A little leaven leavens a whole lump. We can't let a little bit of false doctrine into this church, not even a little. And he says in Galatians 5:2, "Mark my words, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, then Christ will be of no value to you at all." You won't even be thinking about Jesus anymore. "Circumcision is just a doorway into a whole legalistic lifestyle, a mentality of needing to earn God's smile, needing to earn his favor and his forgiveness by your good works, and it never ends. It's slavery, not sonship." III. False Teachers Will Pay the Penalty Then he says "These false teachers will pay the penalty." Who are these people? Who are they? Do you get the sense of that? Look again at Verse 7. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Who did this? I want their names. Tell me who it is, tell me who's saying it. I want names. It's interesting, I am frequently led to decision on names, name dropping, negative name dropping. I usually don't do it but you know how you name people from the pulpit that are teaching false doctrine. And you just have to be careful, have to be careful. There's a good friend of a brother of ours that did a rap song in which he name names. Shai Linne wrote False Teachers, he just goes through on all the prosperity gospel people and then just listen. So and so is a false teacher, so and so is false teacher, so and so is false teacher. In case you didn't know what he's is talking about. There's a time and a place for that, but here Paul is just zeroing in, he says, "I want to know who's doing this, I want to know who's teaching you. Who's giving you this false doctrine. Who," verse 10, "The one who's throwing you at the confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be." He's going to pay the price, he's going to pay the penalty. These people are throwing them into confusion, they're trying to sever... Picture Jesus says "I am the vine you are the branch." Right? And we are these healthy green branches growing and maybe there's some little buds of some grapes that are going to grow and all that. And along comes these false teachers, like shiny steel sheers and they are just sheering you off from Jesus. Sheering them off. Look at verse 4 of Galatians 5 "You who are trying to be justified by law had been alienated from Christ, you have fallen away from grace." And these false teachers who're trying to avoid the cross, look at verse 11 "Brothers if I'm still preaching circumcision then why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the offense of the cross has been abolished." They hate the cross, these false teachers. They are trying to avoid the stumbling stone of the cross. And why is that? Well, the offense of the cross is the simple teaching that you can't save yourself. Judaizers went into that. They're saying you can save yourself if you get serious enough. You get serious enough about the law of Moses, you can save yourself. But the message of the cross is you can't save yourself, it's hopeless without Jesus. So you must humble yourself, you must enter through that low narrow gate and stripped of all pride, you must humble yourself on your knees and come to Christ as the Pharisee and the tax collector. The tax collector beat his breast, wouldn't even look up to heaven but said "Be merciful to me, oh God, the sinner." I have nothing to offer. But they're trying to avoid the offense of the cross and Paul says they're persecuting, persecuting him. There was a time that this very same man that wrote this epistle to the Galatians preached circumcision. He preached the laws of Moses, the supremacy of the Jewish religion. He preached all of that, he preached that you could save yourself by Phariseeism. He preached all of these things. Yeah, that is until he saw the glorified resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus and that ended forever. He would never preach circumcision again. He knew that his salvation had nothing to do with the circumcision. But his commitment to preach the cross and not self-salvation had resulted in a life of massive persecution. He was being persecuted for the cross by both so called believing and unbelieving Jews, both of them zealous for Moses and for a Jewish nationalism. And they were persecuting Paul. But it already settled that in Galatians 1:10. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I was still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." I'm going to preach Christ crucified. Now in this paragraph, I don't know if you sense it, but Paul is angry. Do you sense it? He is very angry. And as a matter of fact, those that are really good at Greek, experts at Greek, say that there's a different style in this paragraph than almost anywhere else that Paul writes. He leaves out connectors, he leaves out transitional statements. He's almost breathless, he's almost panting. You can see him almost red faced, like breathing through his mouth. Because he's so angry at these false teachers and what they've done to his beloved churches. He speaks of this curse and this warning. In verse 10 he says, "The one who is throwing into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he maybe." Wow, think about what he wrote in another place. 1 Corinthians 3:17 "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is sacred and you are that temple." This is a very serious issue, this issue of false doctrine. Peter talks about their future in second Peter 2:17, he says "Blackest darkness is reserved for them." Blackest darkness. Not all punishment's equal. I think there are gradations of punishment. All of it's horrible. But some get worse punishment than others and false teachers get blackest darkness reserved for them. Interestingly, 2 Peter 3, Peter's talking about license, libertine preachers, who say that now that Jesus has come you can live however you want, sexual freedom, whatever you want to do. Doesn't matter. Grace, grace, grace. Doesn't matter how you live, you go to Heaven when you die. Doesn't matter. And he says blackest darkness is reserved for them. But now Paul's doing the exact same think against the legalists. The ones that say you have to earn your way with God and you have to earn your forgiveness and all that. The opposite ends both get severely judged by God for destroying the church. Paul's final word on them is in verse 12. "As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves." Extremely harsh, think about it, it's extremely harsh. Calls them agitators, they're like rebels or insurrectionists. They're stirring up people's freedom. They're rebelling against Christ the King. They're agitators and he says a shocking thing, "If they're arguing for circumcision, I wish they would just emasculate themselves." Some commentators speak in terms of their ability to reproduce spiritually. Might like kind of metaphorically that they would stop being spiritually reproductive. It's clever. I don't know that that's what Paul had in mind. I'm not one to talk about this much, but anyway, I promised the elders I would, and here it is. But the fact is, Paul is very very angry. In any case, I'll tell you what he really wants. What he really wants is them, these false teachers, cut off from any access to the Galatians from now on. He wants them cut off and gone so that they will never trouble his beloved churches again. That's what he wants. I get the picture like Jesus cleansing the temple. Don't you get that? I mean Jesus was angry at these thieves and robbers who are destroying the glory and the purity of the temple and Paul has that same zeal. Well, beautifully, false doctrine will ultimately fail. Isn't that good news? Isn't it good news to know that the false teachers will not in the end succeed? Praise God for that. This past week, I was at 'Together for the Gospel' and one of my favorite friends and teacher/preachers is Kevin DeYoung. Now, you have got to listen to Kevin DeYoung's Together for the Gospel message. One of the best I've ever heard on Christ's view of the scripture. But he's also very funny and does a great job communicating. And at one point he just... It resonated with me as a preacher. He said "Do you ever feel when you're going up to the pulpit like you're going up with this tiny little peashooter and you're going against reinforced steel concrete bunkers?" And I do feel that this is it. This is what I'd do to protect the minds and hearts of these flock against all that Satan's doing on legalism or license in your hearts all the time? Just this. Well, isn't it awesome that this enough? The word of God is sufficient. Think about it. The word of God, the 66 books of the bible, is enough to combat every spiritual virus Satan will ever concoct in his hellish laboratory and hurl at the church. This is sufficient to heal us from all of it. All you need is this word of God faithfully clearly taught and you will be protected. You will not fall in for this. You will be able to stand firm in the day of testing. "The word of God, the 66 books of the bible, is enough to combat every spiritual virus Satan will ever concoct in his hellish laboratory and hurl at the church. This is sufficient to heal us from all of it." IV. False Doctrine Will Ultimately Fail Verse 10, "I am confident in the Lord you will take no other view." You're not going to follow them. Jesus says in John 10, "I am the good shepherd, my sheep hear my voice. I know them, they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never follow another. No one can snatch them out of my hand. No one can snatch them out of the Father's hand." You will not be lost through false doctrine, but you need to listen to the true doctrine in order to be protected. That's the remedy. You must listen and if you're elect, you will. Sovereign grace is given to the elect to warn them of actual threats to your soul. Jesus in Matthew 24:24-25 said "False Christ and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time." Yet you see the combination? You know why the elect aren't going to be deceived? Because Jesus has told us ahead of time. And all you have to do is drink in God's word, feed on it and you will be protected from false doctrine. I think it also points to the role of elders in the church, don't you think? Titus 1:9 says "An elder must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine [and listen] refute those who oppose it." It's our job to be vigilant on the walls of this church doctrinally and keep out the congregation the viruses of false doctrines. V. Applications So application. First and foremost, come to Christ. I already preached that at the beginning of this sermon and I preach it again. Trust in Him, the true gospel saves souls. Trust in him and believe in him and have eternal life. Secondly, understand and delight in the true relationship between faith and works. Your works will never stand to forgive you for your sins. You're never going to, and I mean, and we're always tempted in that direction. Even years into the Christian life, the genuine Christian life. We're still tempted to think when you sinned, I now need to do some good things to make up for it. You know you are. It's tempting in that direction. No no no, go to the cross. Go and receive again the forgiveness and mercy and grace through the blood of Christ. Then resolve to live a new life. Resolve to live an obedient life by the power of the spirit. That's the transformation. Resolve to bring your sinful heart to God and ask him, say "God, would you please take this heart, cold heart of mine, and help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Change my heart and God would you please empower me to love my neighbor as myself. And God, would you please grant me sexual purity. Please help me to stand firm in the day of testing with the internet. Help me to stand firm and be pure and not give in to temptation. Help me oh Lord, by your spirit to evangelize. Help me to speak the good news of the... I'm so weak but you're strong. God would you please through the spirit enable me to obey your commands to evangelize." That's how we live out this righteous life. Thirdly, understand Paul's passionate hatred for false doctrine. You should hate it too. Prepare yourself by having a daily quiet time. Saturate your mind with the word of God. Have a daily quiet time. Be thankful for the elders of this church. These are good men, they love the Lord, they love God's word, be thankful for them and pray for their successors. Pray for my successor. If the Lord tarries, if we're still here 25, 30 years from now, pray that whoever's preaching here regularly will be preaching true doctrine. There's no guarantees, friends. Let's be vigilant, and you be zealous for doctrine, as zealous as any of the elders are here, and pray for your own hearts, too, that you be protected, and, finally, run your race with endurance. Amen. Amen. We all get to run our own version of the Boston Marathon and, frankly, it's longer, it's harder, but there's better spectators cheering us on and there is a better crown at the finish line. Jesus himself will award it to you on that final day when you are done with the race of holiness. He will welcome you with his open arms and he will embrace you and take you into heaven. Run this race with endurance, run to the end. Let's close in prayer. Lord, thank you for the time we've had to look again at the Gospel, to look again at faith, and works, and justification, sanctification, and in this case, Paul so very angry at these false teachers. Help us to be zealous as he was for the holiness of the church and for the growth of the church and for the protection of the church. In Jesus's name, amen.
The Boston Celtics are at Heartbreak Hill of the Boston Marathon -- the NBA All Star Break. At 19-35, they ain't doing too good. Ty Ray and Rich Conte are back once again. They'll have plenty to talk about. After an undefeated week last week, the Celtics were only to squeeze one measly win out of the lowly Milwaukee Bucks while being blown out by the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Ty and Rich will also look ahead to the NBA's trade deadline. Who stays? Who goes? Who could come in? And what does the rest of the season have in store for the Celtics. Ty Ray will also chat with former NBA veteran and ESPN's Jon Barry. Ty and Jon will talk about the David Stern era, the new NBA commissioner Adam Silver, tanking in the NBA, LeBron's Mount Rushmore of NBA greats, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, and so much more. And would Celtics Beat be Celtics Beat if Ty and Rich don't go Around the NBA in 5? Tune in this Saturday at 2 PM ET/11 PM PT. Only on CLNS Radio.
Summary of today's show: On Tuesday of Holy Week in the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Seán celebrates the Chrism Mass with the priests of the archdiocese, blessing the holy oils used in sacraments for the next year and renewing their priestly vows. In a special broadcast from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor, first, discuss the Mass and Holy Week with Fr. Jonathan Gaspar and the listen to and reflect upon Cardinal Seán's homily to the priests, which each year is the one he prepares for with the greatest reflection and prayer. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor **Today's guest(s): Fr. Jonathan Gaspar Links from today's show: Today's topics: Cardinal Seán's homily at the Chrism Mass 1st segment: Today the show is being broadcast from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross following the celebration of the Chrism Mass. He is joined by Fr. Jonathan Gaspar and Fr. Chris O'Connor. Fr. Jonathan said it's always great to see so many priests turn out. Fr. Chris said many priests make a conscious decision to come from all over the Archdiocese in order to receive the oils used in sacraments and to renew their priestly vows. Many can't come because they are needed in their parishes. Scot said it seems the Cardinal puts extra time and effort into his Chrism Mass homily. Fr. Jonathan said the Cardinal loves to preach, but he spends a great of time preparing for this one in particular, offering the priests a message of hope and encouragement. He said the Cardinal has spent many nights over the past few weeks in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and at his desk writing his homily. Scot said Cardinal Sean said the Chrism Mass is a sign of unity across the archdiocese in the sacred chrism consecrated today to be used in every sacrament of baptism, confirmation, and anointing. Fr. Chris said all of those sacraments are connected to this Mass today. Another element of unity is the presence of Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodios. Both the Metropolitan and the Cardinal spoke of the need for Christian unity. Scot said there is a luncheon for priests after the Mass at the cathedral and each year two priests received awards for their service. Fr. Jim Rafferty and Fr. Dave Palmieri were the recipients this year. Scot noted that Fr. Rafferty received unfavorable press coverage for a pastoral decision a few years ago at St. Paul's in Hingham and this was a chance to highlight his service and to reaffirm him as one who preaches the faith in season and out of season. Scot said Cardinal Seán also mentioned during his homily how many priests tell him they first had an inkling of their vocation from their childhood priests who mentioned the possibility for the call in their lives. Fr. Jonathan recalled his own childhood priest who planted the idea of a vocation in him as a boy. He said Cardinal Seán told priests that the first way to foster vocations was to just smile and show the joy of the priesthood. 2nd segment: Scot said the Chrism Mass is the second big event of Holy Week after Palm Sunday. In many places, Chrism Mass is on Holy Thursday morning, but in big dioceses they move it to another day because priests need to get back to the parishes for Holy Thursday evening for all the preparations that must be made. Fr. Chris said in Rome it will be held on Holy Thursday. He said Pope John Paul II used to publish a Holy Thursday letter to the priests of the world giving them something to reflect on. He's hoping Pope Benedict issues such a letter this year. Scot said priests at this Mass renew their priestly promises from ordination. After 14 years as a priest, Fr. Chris reflected on the renewal and he recalled the words, “Lord, I am unworthy.” In the midst of our own brokenness, Christ continues to call us to minister to his people. It also brought him back to his ordination day, being with his brother priests and celebrating the gift of his priesthood. The only large gathering of priests for Mass like this is the ordination Mass. The Cardinal asked three questions of the priests to renew their priestly vows. Fr. Chris said the Cardinal also asked the priests to pray him as a priestly leader. At another point, the vicar general kepis up and reads the names of all the priests who have died in the past year. About 25 priests were named this year. Scot said he reflected on how every priest present knew that one day their name would be read in this Mass. Fr. Chris said all Christians need to be cognizant of their own mortality and death, but the proximity of Easter reminds us of the promise of eternal life. Now we will hear from Cardinal Sean's homily for the Mass and we will stop periodically to comment on it: Good morning everyone. Your eminence, Metropolitan Methodius, Brother Bishops and Priests, Deacons, Fellow Religious, dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. I first learned about the great tradition of Boston when John Wright became our bishop when I was a seminarian and he would regale us with many stories about Boston. But my favorite story of his was about Mayor Curley. Once when he was running for mayor, he was opposed by one of his lieutenants, a big, garrulous red-haired Irishman who I think was the police or the fire chief at the time. When his opponent had a political rally he decided to go. When he got there, he asked to speak. He said, “You know, every great man in history has had a betrayer. Caesar had his Brutus, Washington had Benedict Arnold, and our blessed savior had Judas. And you know? They were all redheads. Once I was visited by a priest who was very discouraged. He thought he was a redhead… He said: “Bishop, I am the worst priest in the world.” I said to him, that is quite a distinction. I asked him about his ordination and first mass. I said, “Did you fight over who was going to be first in line at your ordination? Did you betray Christ for the collection? Did you chop off someone's ears with a machete? Did you then run away and hide? I was of course comparing the worst priest in the world with the first priests in the world, the apostles. The vocation of the apostles begins with the joyful discovery of Christ, and with the reckless abandoning of their boats, their nets and their families, to follow the Lord. It wasn't too long however, when they were soon in competition with each other and worried about their retirement benefits, like who was going to have the thrones on the right and the left. They spent most of the first Sacred Triduum locked in the Cenacle, while it was the women who followed Jesus through the Stations of the Cross and to Calvary. To me one of the most poignant scenes in the Gospels is the apparition of the Risen Lord on Easter to the 11 remaining apostles. They're hiding out in the Cenacle with the doors bolted. Suddenly, Christ is in their midst showing them his wounded hands as if to say: “See how much I love you.” The reaction of the apostles certainly must have been one of very conflicted emotions. First of all, they were overjoyed to see that Jesus was alive and in their midst. Secondly, they would have felt a profound shame and embarrassment because of their cowardly behavior. The apostles did not surface even to bury Jesus' body after the crucifixion. Had it not been for Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus' body would have been cast into a common ditch to be savaged by vultures and dogs. But Jesus' love and forgiveness is so great, He does not even remind them of how badly they have behaved, but instead gives them the gift of the Spirit so that these sinners could become wounded healers. I find immense consolation in the fact that the Gospels give us, not pious platitudes, but a gritty, realistic portrayal of our first priests, the apostles. They were ordinary men like ourselves, full of humanity and shortcomings and idiosyncrasies. They were entrusted however, to carry on the most important mission in the history of the world and despite all of their weaknesses, they did an extraordinary job. Scot said one the ideas that stood out to him was that the people entrusted by Jesus to spread the Gospel were not those who had the courage to follow the Way of the Cross and stand at the foot of the Cross. Fr. Chris said we only know for sure that the Virgin Mary and John the beloved apostle were there. He loved how he picked up on the flaws and foibles of the apostles because it shows that by Christ picking these flawed men we see that the Church's ministry is about reconciliation. He reconciles them to himself in order to send them out to tell about the power of forgiveness. Scot said the cardinal has immense satisfaction that the Gospels give us a gritty, real, intense view of the apostles. Our Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints. Fr. Chris said it goes back to the incarnation, that Christ became human so we might become divine. Christ is present to us and offering us an opportunity to die to self, so we might live in him. That's what he calls us all to, regardless of state in life. I'm sure that all of us at one point have felt a certain envy of the apostles. We imagine how wonderful it would be to be there and hear Jesus' voice, to see his miracles, to experience the closeness, the companionship and joy of being in his presence. It is ironic however, that the apostles' worst behavior came about while Jesus was still with them. They came into their own after the Pentecost experience. It's then that they go out boldly to proclaim the gospel and to share with the world what they have received. Though we have not had the privilege of walking over the hills of Galilee in Jesus' company, we have received the same Spirit that the apostles did on Holy Thursday, on Easter Sunday and on Pentecost. And now the mission must continue, despite our weaknesses and shortcomings and all obstacles. Christ is counting on us just as He counted on those simple fishermen to preach his gospel, calling people to conversion and discipleship, building a community of faith around the Eucharist. Like those first Christians in the Acts of the Apostles, we must be united in embracing the teachings of the apostles, fellowship and prayer, and the breaking of the bread. Holy Thursday is a very special day for us priests; indeed this very Chrism Mass is an extension of Holy Thursday. On that first Holy Thursday, Jesus washed the feet of his apostles and commanded them to love one another in the way that He loves us. He also commanded them to celebrate the Eucharist, “Do this in memory of me.” And later on that same evening, Jesus tells his first priests: “Watch and pray.” Today, 2,000 years later, Jesus is telling us the same thing: we must love one another, we must celebrate His Eucharist, and we must watch and pray. In Chapter 14 of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke reports how Paul and Barnabas gather the faithful at Antioch and they reported what God had done with them and how God had “opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” Pope Benedict has lifted that beautiful phrase, “the door of faith,” “Porta Fidei,” for the name and theme of his letter announcing the year of faith beginning in the fall. It will mark the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the second Vatican Council, convoked by Blessed Pope John XXIII, and which also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published by Blessed John Paul II. We are people of faith. Faith defines our identity and motivates our actions. Faith is our most precious gift. I am so grateful to have been born into a family of believers, the faith and example of my parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles was so life giving to me as child. And I am ever grateful to my uncle, Father Jerry Riedy, who baptized me into the faith. Scot said although priests today haven't walked with Jesus in Galilee, they have received the same Spirit the apostles did on Pentecost. Christ is counting on these priests just as He did on the apostles. Scot said the Cardinal has a passion for gathering the people of God around the Eucharistic table each week, because it is where we show our love for one another. Fr. Chris said the early Christians did this to show their love for Christ. There is an equality at that table. All are invited and equal in the eyes of God. We receive communion, we are brought deeper into the mystery of God and are meant to share it with our brothers and sisters in the faith. Scot said Cardinal Seán later told the priests to open the door of faith to people and how grateful he is to his family for opening the door of faith to him. We are all called to show people the beauty of our faith in our lives. Fr. Chris said we learn by imitation and example and so when we see the example of those who love the Lord and willingly give their life in service to the Lord we see the love for Christ conveyed and that faith is infectious. Preparing these reflections today, I decided to consult my concordance of the Bible. I found that the word faith appears four times in the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament, which is much shorter, the term faith appears over 250 times and the word believe also appears over 250 times. It is impossible to read the New Testament without appreciating how important faith is. Faith means not being an orphan, having a father who is our God and having many brothers and sisters. Faith is a home where we dwell and move and have our being, where we discover how much we are loved and who we are. Faith is a relationship with Christ, a loving and trusting and enduring friendship. Indeed the mission entrusted by Jesus to the apostles is not first of all to announce the gospel, but first of all to believe in him. As priests we are called to be men of faith, teachers of faith and witnesses of faith. The epistle to the Hebrews tells us that faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. After a beautiful passage celebrating the faith of our ancestors throughout salvation history, the author of Hebrews exhorts us: “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus the origin and crown of all faith.” A few weeks ago I was invited to give the opening talk at a retreat for 75 young Jesuits here in Boston. A Jesuit Father who is a missionary in Siberia had organized the retreat and invited me. Afterwards, he presented me with a beautiful Russian icon of Our Lady. He told me that in Russia it is said: You do not choose the icon, the icon chooses you.” A very interesting perspective. Well, faith is born of a glance. Not so much ours, but that of Christ. The account of the vocation of the Apostles begins by the assertion Jesus looking at them. Jesus saw Andrew and Peter. Jesus saw the sons of Zebedee. Jesus saw Matthew. And having seen them, having fixed his gaze upon them, Jesus calls them to a life of discipleship. We should ask ourselves: “when did we become aware that Jesus had set his eyes on us?” When did we recognize His voice, and His invitation – “Follow me.” Each of us has our own vocational story. For each of us, there is a precise moment for each of us where we became aware that Jesus was looking at us. Certainly, there were many other moments: moments of enthusiasm, moments of definitive choice, and moments of decision to renew ourselves in the face of trials and difficulties and trials in our ministry. Even moments of remorse and shame when we had to cast ourselves on the mystery of our Lord's mercy, like Peter in the courtyard of the high priest, when the Lord turns and fixes his gaze on Peter, who goes out and weeps bitterly. To be under the gaze of the love and mercy of Jesus and to put our eyes fixed on Him, this is faith and from that faith comes every call, every following and even our ministerial vocation which unites us to Jesus who with love, compassion and tenderness sees the crowd and is moved because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Seeing our people's needs, Jesus sends us. Indeed as priests, we must persevere in running this course with our gaze fixed on Jesus, the origin and crown of all faith. It is our own Boston Marathon with many a Heartbreak Hill. It is a long distance run, not the frenetic sprint of the person anxious to be everywhere, who feels indispensable, who never has time for smile, who is not capable of listening, and who does not have the capacity for a profound silence. We need to witness the faith not by adopting the rhythms and times of this world, but rather by responding to the urgency of the gospel. “Faith comes through hearing” (Romans 10, 17) and it is as men of faith, that we must build our lives on the Word of God. There are so many demands on our time and attention, and our energy is not limitless. It requires discipline in the organization of our time to guarantee that each day we can be nourished by listening to the Word of God. Our celebration of the liturgy is also a crucial contact with the power that comes from God's Word and from the Sacraments. Regardless of what one may feel about the new translation, the changes in the liturgy have been an opportunity for us to focus with greater attention to the words we are praying. The Chrism Mass allows us to glimpse the grace of belonging to a presbyterate. It is this in this presbyterate, united to Christ and one another that the gifts that we received by the imposition of hands can be stirred up and enlivened. Here all of our struggles and triumphs are melded into one. The hidden sacrifices heroically made by some of our brothers, the special graces, the pastoral genius, the tireless dedication come together to forge our presbyterate. We are a body that together regenerates itself. Together we share the responsibility to announce the Gospel and to build up the Christian community. You often hear the expression: “keep the faith.” But what we really need to do is not keep the faith, but spread it around. Our faith grows stronger when we share it with others. All of us remember fondly the priests who mentored us in the faith. Now it is our turn to share these treasures. We are earthen vessels bearing treasures. The world is being overcome with darkness. To me one of the most chilling phrases on Jesus' lips are the words: “When the Son of Man returns will he find any faith on the earth?” In great part it depends on us. We who are Christ's priests have a huge responsibility to announce his Gospel in season and out of season. Scot said this was news to him about faith and belief in the Bible. It's important for the growth of the Church to understand that faith and belief are fundamental. Fr. Chris said we have to remember that faith is a gift from God to us, which we can accept or reject. It's also important to remember how grateful the Cardinal was that his parents were believers that they imparted their faith to him. How grateful we should be to those in our lives who have imparted the faith to us. Sometimes when we're lacking faith, the best way to grow in faith is to tell the Lord and then to pray. We become a better athlete by practicing the motions of the sport, and we grow in faith by acting in faith. Scot said the Cardinal said our faith grows stronger as we share it with others. We all have a huge responsibility to preach the Gospel in season and out of season. Fr. Chris quoted the First Letter of Peter, “be prepared to give a reason for your hope,” for why we believe. What are the highlights of our own faith conveyed in 3 minutes that we would give to someone who asked? I often tell the Jesuits that I'm a little envious of them, since they have 35 craters on the moon named after Jesuit fathers. We Capuchins only have a cup of coffee…. One of the best spots to drink a good cappuccino is the Piazza of San Eustachio in Rome. If you have ever indulged yourself at one of the cafés there, you may have noticed the lovely church which looks like many other Italianate churches, except for the fact that on top of the church where one usually expects to find the cross, there is a huge set of antlers. I am sure that there is some pious explanation for the antlers, perhaps some story about San Eustachio running over a deer and miraculously providing venison for 4000 orphans. However, if you ask the Romans why there are antlers on the top of the church you may hear the story that I was told. Apparently, a young Roman nobleman married a beautiful bride in that church, but soon after the marriage she absconded with the best man. Today the man would have gone on the Jerry Springer show. The husband was disconsolate, and in his grief and rage had the antlers placed on the roof of that church. In Italian, a man who has deceived by his wife is referred to as “cornuto” which means having horns. I am told that ever since the antlers went up, there are very few weddings in that church. Accordingly, for many Romans, the antlers on the church betoken defeat and sadness. During this year of faith we need to climb up and pull the antlers down and lift high the cross, the triumphant, life giving cross. Our people need us to be confident and joyful teachers of the faith. Cardinal Dolan spoke of going to a conference by Cardinal Wright on Evangelization, expecting a deep theological treatise. The message of the eloquent Bostonian was simply – smile! Pope Benedict constantly dwells on relationship of faith with joy. The word joy appears sixty (60) times in the New Testament. The very word Gospel means glad tidings. We are messengers of that joyful news. Scot said when he lived in Rome, he never saw the church the Cardinal referred to. Fr. Chris said he is going to Rome this summer and he's planning to check it out. Scot said the Cardinal seemed to be saying that we should tear down anything distracting us from the faith and in its place to lift high the Cross. But the cross isn't about grief. The cardinal referred to Cardinal Dolan speaking of the joy of having received the Good News and letting it permeate out hearts, even before the cross. Fr. Chris quoted St. Theresa of Avila: “Lord, save me from long-faced saints.” We should see the cross as something beautiful and life-giving. Showing the joy of the love of Christ attracts people and is an invitation to the gift of faith. The people need to glimpse our own faith. They need teachers who are witnesses. In our priestly support groups and circles of priests, we need to talk about Christ and our love for the mission that He has entrusted to us. It is because the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus are talking about Jesus, that the Risen Lord draws near and breaks open the Scriptures for them. That experience made their hearts burn within them. Cleopas and his buddy never finished that dinner – they got up from that table probably without even paying the check and ran back to Jerusalem with the waitress chasing them down the road. They were filled with joy, and wanted to share that joy and good news with their brothers – “we have seen the Lord and we recognized him in the breaking of the bread.” Pope Benedict XVI, in Porta Fidei, writes “faith grows when it is lived as an experience of grace and joy.” He warns us not to grow lazy in the faith, and urges us to focus on Jesus Christ, because “in him all the anguish and longing of the human heart finds fulfillment.” At the Chrism Mass, I like to make an appeal, a challenge to my priests and to myself. In the past, I have asked us all to work harder on our preaching. I have asked that every priest make a serious retreat each year – I had to go down to St. Petersburg last year to make sure Bishop Hennessey was not offering the enneagram and reiki. Actually we are very grateful for the wonderful work Bob Hennessey is doing on those retreats. I have asked that each priest develop a personal rule of life to assure the balance we need to pray hard, work hard and play hard. I have asked that each priest join a priest support group to be able to build a truly spiritual fraternity with a deep sense of shared mission. This year I would ask that each priest, myself included, to recommit ourselves to our own ongoing formation. Each of us is ultimately responsible for his own ongoing formation, which needs to be spiritual, human, theological and pastoral so that we might be the teachers of the faith our people need. Pope John Paul II wrote in Pastores dabo Vobis: “Ongoing formation aims at increasing the priest's awareness of his share in the Church's saving mission”. “The priest's permanent formation appears not only as a necessary condition but also as an indispensable means for constantly refocusing on the meaning of his mission and for ensuring that he is carrying it out with fidelity and generosity. By this formation, the priest is helped to become aware of the seriousness and yet the splendid grace of an obligation which cannot let him rest, so that, like Paul, he must be able to say: “If I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel”(1 Cor. 9:16). At the same time, the priest also becomes aware of a demand, which insistently comes from all those whom God is unceasingly calling to salvation. Scot said in the seminary it's important to remind the seminarians that formation doesn't end with ordination. Fr. Chris said none of us are finished products. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were on a journey and each priest has to grow theologically and pastorally. He said he was intrigued by the list of challenges the Cardinal gives each year to the priests for them to work on. It's helpful to look on all of them and see where they've grown. One year is was about working on homilies. Another year was about taking a serious renewing retreat each year. Another year, they were to form a spiritual fraternity. This year it's about ongoing formation. Fr. Chris said it's a good reminder to all of his priests. Scot recapped the end of the Cardinal's homily. For the Church, the Year of the Faith is to be the year of the New Evangelization. Our personal ongoing formation will help us as a diocese in our task of imbuing our pastoral planning with the new evangelization which means taking the Gospel to those who have grown cold, to reach out with a new ardor and with new methods, turning our parishes into communities of evangelizers where every parishioner feels a call to share their faith, to be a part of the mission to make Christ's Gospel loved, and to promote a civilization of justice and love. I am very grateful to Bishop Arthur Kennedy for his willingness to help us to equip our people for the challenges of the New Evangelization and for promoting our ongoing formation. I know that it seems daunting but I am confident that this Year of Faith will be great grace for our Church if we priests take advantage of this time to renew ourselves in an ongoing conversion that is a response to Christ's loving call. Spiritual writers speak of a second call, actually there are many moments when the Lord glances at us as He did to Peter, after Peter's fall and what I call the “Last Breakfast” when the risen Lord, having examined Peter in his love, says “Follow me” again. As we renew our ordination promises may we recommit our lives to Christ, to our brothers and sisters, in the service of the Gospel whose Heralds we are. May the Lord grant each of us a faith that bestows confidence and courage, generosity and joy, as together we work to build up Christ's Kingdom. Together we want to take down the antlers of sadness and defeat and weathervane of doubt and uncertainly and lift high the cross. What St. Francis calls the book that contains the greatest love story in the history of the world – and we priests are all part of that story. God bless you. Scot said it's his sense that the Cardinal's hope is that each parish will come alive and each Catholic will be motivated to share their faith. Fr. Chris said it's an insight that originates with Pope Benedict XVI, who is always talking about this new evangelization, re-presenting the Gospel to those who have grown cold in the faith, re-introducing the idea that Christ is the life and the Resurrection. Scot previewed the liturgies of the rest of the week. He said beautiful images from these liturgies taken by George Martell can be found at . Scot and Fr. Chris said the best way to prepare for Easter is to participate in all the liturgies and services of Holy Week. Fr. Chris reminded everyone that tomorrow night is the final light of The Light Is On For You for this Lent, where the sacrament of confession will be available in every church and chapel from 6:30-8pm.
The Isolation of Our Age You know, I've often wondered what it would have been like to land on the beach there in Cape Cod in December of 1620. The cold weather, it kind of cuts right through you. As I think about it, I think about the remarkable isolation of that little band of pilgrims as they landed there and the fact that there was really no one to help. At least so they believed at that point, they really relied on themselves to survive. They had come from crowded Holland and crowded England and landed in just remarkable desolation. What kind of isolation they must have experienced as disease ravaged their numbers and they bore that brunt alone. They were isolated Christians. But I tell you that in the 21st century, there's a different kind of isolation that I see that's perhaps even more troubling than that. The isolation I'm talking about is a kind of a relational or spiritual isolation, a kind of an anonymity that some 21st century Christians are seeking in their church involvement. They don't desire to know or to be known. They desire a kind of an anonymity, they want to be isolated in that one sense. And I tell you, it is devastatingly unhealthy for the Christian life. It is not what a church should be. And it can take many forms, it can happen in a small church, or a large, it's not just endemic to mega-churches, although I think it's easy there, to slip in, in a huge service and to take in what they present for you to, in some sense be entertained, in some sense challenged and blessed by the ministry of the Word of God and then to leave. And no one knows your name. But it's not just in big churches that that kind of thing can happen. It can happen in medium-sized churches and small churches as well. The bottom line is, we're only going to know and be known as much as we choose to be. And so what I want to do this morning, is kind of persuade you to choose to be. Kind of persuade you to choose to know and be known and be part of the local church. Now, I said last week, Hebrews 3:7-8 are the most important verses that I know in terms of my own personal daily walk with Christ. I think there are other verses that are incredibly important and you may have your own life verse, but for me Hebrews 3:7-8 is incredibly important in terms of my personal standing before Jesus, day-by-day, and receiving from him my... A sense of marching orders. What is it he wants me to do? Big picture in my life and then day-by-day. And so we saw that in Hebrews 3 today, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." And so I interpret that, first and foremost, to be the Holy Spirit speaking to me as an individual, as a child of God, through the written word of God. And then as the Spirit takes to what I've learned in Scripture, he applies it to my life and I'm transformed and I'm given my marching orders. These are incredibly important verses. But I believe the verses we're looking at today, Hebrews 3:12-14 are the most important verses in the Bible in terms of local church involvement. And specifically in this area, of understanding one line from our church covenant. And that is this, "We will watch over one another in brotherly love." Have you ever heard those words before? Have you ever been here for 'New Member Sunday'? You know, we read our church covenant, every New Member Sunday. And those words, I don't know why, but those words stand out to me more than any of the other words. And they convict me. We will watch over one another in brotherly love, I want to talk about that today. And I believe that Hebrews 3:12-14, are the best verses in the Bible for understanding what I think those words meant to those who penned them in the church covenant. It's not so important ultimately that we live up to a man-made covenant like that, although I think it's an excellent covenant and the promises are biblical and right, but they are rooted in Scripture, and it is incredibly vital for us to obey the verses we see before us today. So I'm going to be preaching two sermons on this one passage. This morning, my plan is to just go carefully through in a very exegetical way, explaining each word, each phrase so that we understand Hebrews 3:12-14. And give a little bit of application at the end because we just won't have much more time. And then in two weeks, next week we have Dr. Akin and we're delighted to have him come and preach, concerning Lottie Moon; excited to have him. But two weeks from this morning, I'll resume and finish a look at Hebrews 3:12-14. And that's going to be primarily applications, in which I'm going to be seeking to take the ideas in these verses, and apply them to The First Baptist Church so that we can grow in our love for one another, okay? So this morning, it's going to be mostly an explanation of what's here and then some application, but then in a couple of weeks, we're going to look at it again. I. The Greatest Danger: Turning Away from the Living God And as I look at these verses, I see right away a great danger here, a danger for us in our Christian lives. Look at it in verse 12. "See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." The danger, in a word, for us; the danger facing us in this verse, staring us in the face is the danger of apostasy. Now, you may not know what that word means, but it's really just a transliteration of the Greek word that's right here in the text. αποστασία is the verb when it talks about turning away from the living God. And from that, we get apostasy. What does it mean? Well, the word in the Greek means to stand apart or away from, or to withdraw or to absent oneself from, that's what the word means. And see, the idea here is that we are in danger of apostasizing or standing apart or away from or withdrawing from, or being absent from the living God. It's the second in a series of verses that I've linked before, and the NIV translation comes out most plainly, all of them linked by the word "away." So, in Hebrews 2:1, it says "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Remember that. Drifting away. Here in 3:12, "See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." And then the third in the series is all the way in 6:6. And there it talks about the danger, the grave danger of people who have experienced rich blessings in church life, I think we'll talk about that, if they fall away to be brought back again to repentance. So basically, as you string them together, there are three warnings and they're all dealing with the same danger. Don't drift away, don't turn away, don't fall away from the living God. That's what we're dealing with here. The danger of apostasy. The Necessity of Drawing Near Now in the book of Hebrews, nearness to God, proximity to God, being near to God is the goal of salvation, it's what God is doing. He's bringing us near to him, but these people are going away from Him. They're going away from the living God. So, over and over, the author of Hebrews will speak of the closeness of God to us in salvation and he exhorts us to draw near to God. For example, in Hebrews 4:16, it says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Isn't that beautiful? Let us approach the throne of grace. Let's draw near to God it's saying there. Again in Hebrews 7:19, it talks about the superiority of the new covenant, it says a better hope, a better covenant is introduced by which we draw near to God. And then again in Hebrews 10:19-22 it say, "Therefore brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through his curtain, that is His body, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith." This is an incredible privilege of the new covenant. The old covenant was all about thus far you may come and no further. It's all about stay away basically in the old covenant, or you're going to get killed. But here, in the new covenant, we have an opening now. We have a new and living way to come right into the very presence of God, and multiple commands in the Book of Hebrews, that we should do so. That we should draw near to God, that we should be close to the living God. But apostasy is the exact opposite, it's to turn willingly away from the living God. To choose to live a life apart from His holy presence, to try to carve out some kind of separate existence where God is not the center. Or perhaps God is not present at all, that is apostasy. These people turn away because they don't truly believe in the living God, they don't truly love Him, they turn from God back again to idols of their own imagination. The danger here in Hebrews in my opinion, seems to be more of a drifting away from God caused by unbelief and trials and difficulties that are connected with the Christian life, more than the kind of a defiant, angry rebellion against God. These people as we've mentioned, were Jewish professors of faith in Christ, they had made a claim to be Christians. They were interested in the Christian Gospel, interested enough to claim it as their own. To in some sense stand with Christ and be counted as a Christian, to be water baptized I believe at one point. But now they're drifting, now there's a salt in their souls and they're in danger of doing the very thing that the author is talking about here. They might quietly assent that the facts of the gospel are still true to them, but they've found that Christian life is too difficult to live, and the allure of the world is too difficult to resist. And so, they are little by little getting further and further away from Jesus. That's what I think is happening here, for these Hebrew Christians. And so the author is bringing up this great danger of apostasy, this danger of turning away from the living God. The Living God And think about that expression, the living God. The living God, see to it brothers that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. It's a remarkable expression. It's used 28 times in the Bible, four times here in the Book of Hebrews, more than any other book in the Bible. So this book, the author really seems to love this expression, the living God. Scripture in general, I think uses this expression, the living God, to focus minds the minds of sinful man on the central truth of the universe. There is one and only one God, and all other gods are idols or demonic impersonators of Gods. There is only one living God. Deuteronomy 5:26, it says, "For what mortal man has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire as we have, and survived?" The Jews at the base of Sinai, they had the sense they were in the presence of a living God. He was alive. Not mute, or absent like the gods of the nations. The gods of the nations are dead, there's no life in them. Psalm 115, "The enemies mock us," says the Jewish Psalm writer. "Where is your God?" And the Psalm writer says, "I'll tell you where our God is" "Our God is in heaven, He does whatever pleases Him." "But their idols," says the Psalmist, "are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak. Eyes, they have, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, they have, but they cannot smell. They have hands but they cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk. Nor can they utter a sound with their throats," these dead gods of the nations, their idols." The creator of the ends of the earth, the creator of the universe is the only God and dear friends, He is alive. More than you can possibly imagine, He is alive. Whatever that means, to you, to be alive. Life is such a mystery isn't it? What makes something alive, and the thing, the rock or the other thing is dead, what makes it alive? But God is the giver of all life. "For in Him, we live and move and have our being," our existence is in Christ." In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. He is the living God. So to turn away from the living God can be nothing but death, friends, nothing but death. The essence of life then is to be in God. And the essence of death is to be separate from God. And so the author is trying to challenge these Hebrew Christians not to turn away from the living God. And I might go a step beyond and I don't think God the Father would mind. Context: The Focus is Christ If we would imagine that the author to the Hebrews was focusing specifically on Christ, that these Jewish Christians were turning away from the living God as He has been revealed in Christ. They've turned away from Jesus. In Hebrews Chapter 3, the context here, the beginning verses 1-6, of Hebrews 3, the author has been comparing Jesus to Moses and said that Jesus is greater than Moses, He's worthy of greater honor than Moses, His mission is greater than Moses' mission. Moses was a servant in God's house but Jesus is a son over God's house, He's greater. Greater than Moses. And then in Hebrews 3:7-11, he brings in the testimony of Psalm 95, and the warning of Psalm 95, as we've seen. "Today if you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts." And he's harkening back to that earlier history when the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land through their unbelief and their disobedience, they would not enter the Promised Land and so God declared an on oath in his anger, they should never enter his rest. And so, the author is bringing this history out of Psalm 95 to give the warning to the Jews. He's going to return to the history when we're done with Hebrews 3:12-14. So the end of the Chapter 15 to the end, he's going to go back to that history, and talk about it. But here in the middle, he just stops and just gets right to the point. And the point of all of this, is this warning against apostasy, it's what the whole book was written about. And so right in the middle, he gets to this issue of Christ, of apostasy from the living God as He has been revealed in Jesus Christ. The Great Offer of the Gospel Friends, this is the greatest danger of our lives. This is the greatest danger of our lives, there is nothing in the world more precious to you than your soul. What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul, said Jesus. Or what could a man give in exchange for his soul? There's nothing more valuable to you than your soul. And it is possible for you to lose your soul, according to those verses. Jesus came into the world to save our souls, He shed His blood on the cross that we might have eternal life. I am acutely aware this is an unusual Sunday, this is the Sunday after Thanksgiving, attendance is a little bit down, some unusual faces here. I think it's quite possible I may be speaking to some family members or friends or guests who don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And you don't know for certain whether this is the last day of your life or not, you don't know how much longer you have. I'm pleading with you to turn to Christ today, while there's time. Jesus shed His blood on the cross, for sinners like you and me, that He might bring us into life that which is truly life, eternal life. The living God, a relationship with the living God, all of your sins forgiven, instantly. Now, while you sit in the pew, and listen to me, you just look to Jesus and you cry out to Jesus in your heart, and you say, "Jesus forgive me for my sins. I need You to forgive me, I ask you to forgive me, take me to heaven when I die. I want to live with you forever." And he'll do all of that, isn't that incredible? It's the gospel. But now these Jewish people, they had heard that, they had assented to that, they had come forward and asked for baptism, they had been baptized on their profession of faith. But the initial profession of faith in Christ is not enough if it's not followed up with a life of faith-filled works by the power of the Spirit. James says it's a dead faith, it's not a genuine faith. You've got to keep running this race with endurance, and the only true faith is that which God gives in Jesus Christ, and that which God starts in us, He finishes right to the end. He opens up faith in the heart and He keeps it going until you don't need it anymore. And you know when you won't need your faith anymore? When you see Jesus with your own eyes. So He opens up faith, He gives it to you as a gift and justifies you on that basis. What a gift, and I'm pleading with you now, hear the words of the Gospel. Jesus the Son of God died on the cross for sinners like you and me, shed His blood. Trust in Him and you'll be saved. The danger, however, is to hear, to make an outward kind of surface-y assent, to impress your friends and your neighbors, and your relatives, but it's not a genuine work of God in your heart. And you could say, "How can I know?" Well, we'll get to that, but the issue here is at some point there's a drifting away, a turning away, a falling away. And so, the danger here is apostasy, turning away from Christ. II. The Root Cause: Sin’s Effect on the Heart The root cause of the apostasy is sins effect on the heart. Look at the verse again, "See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." The apostasy then is caused by a sinful, unbelieving heart. Now, what is the heart, what do we mean by the heart? Well, according to the scripture, the heart is the essential part of every man, and woman, boy and girl. It's the core of your being. It's the part of you that thinks, and reasons, it's the part of you that feels, it's the part of you that perceives and understands. It's the part of you that loves and hates, it's the part of you that chooses and rejects. It's the heart. Now, the gospel of Jesus Christ goes after the heart, the Gospel wants all of your heart, your whole heart. So the Bible often speaks of a whole-hearted devotion to God. Sermon on the mount goes for the heart. You have heard that it was said, You shall not murder, but if you're angry in your heart, you've committed murder in your heart. You've heard it said, you shall not commit adultery, but if you lust after another person you've committed adultery in your heart. The heart, the core of the being, biblically is, what the Gospels going after. A heart for Jesus. The Essence of True Religion Now, Jonathan Edwards in his Treatise on Religious Affections he said that the essence of true religion is a heart love, or affection, for God through Jesus Christ. That's the core of it. He says that, the heart, your heart, all of our hearts, has the ability to take in information about the world around it, to see it, to perceive it to understand it, but not only that, to either be attracted to or repulsed from everything you perceive to a greater or less degree. Some things you really love, somethings you only like, some things you slightly just dislike, some things you may hate. But that's just what the heart does, that's the heart's business. And the danger here then is of a heart that turns away from the living God is really, in some sense, now repelled from Christ, not attracted to Jesus anymore. And note the adjectives here concerning this heart, a sinful unbelieving heart. These are very strong descriptors. The essence of sin is to turn away from God, to turn away from the living God for something else, something other than the living God. The essence of unbelief then is to not see Jesus with the eyes of the soul as the most attractive thing that there is in the universe. Nothing more appealing, nothing more beautiful. Faith sees the invisible world and especially Christ at the center of it sees the person and work of Christ as the most staggering beautiful thing imaginable, the glory that comes from the love he showed in dying for us. The cross then not any longer merely an instrument of gruesome execution, but a display of the love of God that you'll spend eternity plumbing the depths of. But to you it's attractive. When I survey the wondrous cross, when I see the beauty there and the attractiveness my eyes have been opened and I just see it as a beautiful thing now. It's attractive to me, when it could have been repulsive. So the work of Christ, the glory of Christ in His resurrection body, what it must have been like to see Jesus in His resurrection body. That mysterious spiritual body that can never die, is not subject any longer to death, free from that, passing through walls, coming into the upper room saying, "Here I Am. Shalom, peace be with you." People shocked, stunned, able to eat broiled fish, the glory of it, the beauty of it, the attractiveness of Christ in all of what he has done, and him seated on the throne of God at the right hand of Almighty God. How attractive and how beautiful that vision is, faith alone can see this ravishing beauty. I think it's why so many hymn writers meditate on this theme of the beauty of Jesus, the beauty of Christ. One of them is just called Beautiful Savior. Don't you love that hymn? "Beautiful savior, I long to be", says the hymn writer. "I long to be where the praise is never ending, I yearn to dwell where the glory never fades, where countless worshipers will share one song and cries of worthy will honor the lamb. Beautiful Savior, Wonderful Counselor, clothe the majesty Lord of history. You're the way, the truth, and the life, you're the star of the morning, you're glorious and holiness, you're the risen one, heaven's champion, you reign over all." There's just beauty in those words, beauty. The hymn writer's saying I long to be there. He would gladly lay down his own hymn to see Jesus face to face. Amen. We see through a glass darkly right now. But someday we're going to see ravishing beauty, and when we see him, we will be instantaneously transformed, and made like Him. That's the power of that beatific vision of the glory, the beauty of Christ. Many other hymns talk about it, Fairest Lord Jesus, the beauty of Jesus, the radiance or Bernard of Clairvaux wrote Jesus, the very thought of Thee was sweetness fills the breast, but sweeter far thy face to see and in thy presence rest. This is the attractiveness of Jesus to the eye of faith. To the eye of faith nothing in the universe could possibly be more beautiful than Jesus, as morally perfect, as attractive as Jesus. He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being. The greatest thing a heart could ever see then is the beauty of Jesus and to love him. Conversely, dear friends, the worst thing a human heart can ever do is to turn away from that display of beauty unfulfilled, and seek something created to fill that emptiness inside. It is a great sin. It is an infinite sin to turn away from the living God unsatisfied. The Hardening of Sin’s Deceitfulness Do you not see the devastation of idolatry, do you not see it, how dangerous it is to look at all that, Jesus and all that, and say it just isn't enough for me. There's just not enough there. What happens? Well, the origin of a sinful unbelieving heart is the deceptiveness, deceptiveness of sin. It says in verse 13, that the heart can be hardened by sins' deceitfulness, sin is a great deceiver. It doesn't come and tell you the truth, it never has, it never will. In Romans 7:11, it says, "For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death." Sin is a great deceiver, just like its originator Satan, he is a deceiver, as well. It says in Corinthians, he masquerades as an angel of light, he doesn't come, honestly, to us, he comes looking kind of beautiful, kind of attractive he puts sin in that kind of garb too. It's attractive, it's beautiful, it's alluring, it's appealing. Genesis 3:13, "The Lord God said to the woman. 'What have you done?' And the woman said, 'The serpent deceived me and I ate.'" It's deceptive, it doesn't tell us the truth, it looks appealing, it looks like there's something that you can gain from it. But in the end it leads to death, Revelation 12:9, it speaks of Satan, "The great dragon", it says, "Was thrown down that ancient serpent who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." He is a deceiver, he's lying to us concerning sin. And He uses many deceptive techniques as well. Deceptive teacher. 2 John 7 says, "Many deceivers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world, any such person is the deceiver and the Antichrist." False teachers are deceivers. Or there are deceptive philosophies, in Colossians 2:8, it says "see to it that no one takes you captive by deceptive philosophies." They seem to be wise, they seem to lead in a wise direction, but they're deceptive. Or deceptive lusts that wage war against our souls. In Ephesians 4:22 it says, "Put off your old nature, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts." The lust is a drive and a yearning, a desire for something that is forbidden, and it's deceitful because it doesn't tell you that in the end an arrow will pierce your liver spiritually and it will kill you. It's dangerous, it's a deceptive lust. Then there's deceptive wealth or material possessions. Remember how Jesus was speaking of the different types of seed... The seed going to different types of soil and there was the thorny ground here, thorny soil, and these weeds grew up and choked out the plant making it unfruitful and Jesus said the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it out, making it unfruitful. Wealth can be deceptive. What is the effect of sins deceitfulness? A hardening effect on your heart. Remember we already talked about that last week. "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart." You know what hardens your heart? Sins' deceitfulness. Sins deceitfulness hardens your heart. As we become accustomed to sin our hearts get little by little harder and harder to the gentle quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. A soft heart then is yielded submissive eager happy to obey Jesus. The opposite is a hard heart, it's resistant, it's peevish, sluggish to obey, resentful, hesitant, ultimately rebellious. Sins deceitfulness works on us over a long period of time little by little, we become desensitized, first to sins outrageous and wicked nature, then to sins great danger, then to its even presence. Don't even notice that it's even around, and would fight anyone who would come and say, this is sin. It would be shocking. Perhaps, some of you have seen that movie Time Changers in which there's a time machine and you're brought back and an individual from I think the 1890s steps into our modern world, and is just patently shocked by what he sees. Just shocked by it. Like the proverbial boiling of the frog. Things changed little by little, incrementally, little by little, over time. You just don't know what's happening, and pretty soon you're boiled to death. And so it is our hearts become little by little hardened by sin's deceitfulness. So to sum up, this passage is addressing a great danger. Apostasy: Apostasy is a turning away from the living God, it's caused by a sinful unbelieving heart, that the root of the sinful unbelieving heart is the deceptiveness, the deceitfulness of sin. Alright, that's the bad news. III. The Remedy: The Vigilant Encouragement of the Church What's the remedy? We need some remedy. Is there no balm in Gilliad? We want some medicine. It's been so dreary up to this point. Well I'm sorry if it feels dreary, it's just true. And you know it, don't you? But we need the remedy and here a remedy is given to us. I say it's not the only remedy but it's a very powerful remedy. And what is the remedy, the vigilant encouragement of the church is the remedy given here. See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, but encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. So Christ has established the church, it seems based on this verse, primarily to labor on one another's salvation, which is incomplete, we are to help each other finally be saved in the end. Now, that shouldn't shock any of who you have been coming here any length of time. Salvation is a process, justification, sanctification, and then glorification. We're en route. It isn't finished yet. Our salvation is incomplete and therefore we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, but praise be to God we don't do that alone. You are not working out your salvation with fear and trembling, alone, you have a band of travelers with you, they're on the road with you and they are there to help you and you're there to help them, none of them better than any other, all of us on this dangerous journey. And so we are left not as orphans in the world, we are given the indwelling Holy Spirit, but we are given each other and a healthy church, will protect its members from their own sinfulness. Fundamental then to a healthy church is a commitment to watch over each other spiritually, to care about how things are going spiritually and the knowledge then is I know that I have the seeds of my own spiritual destruction in my own heart. I already have the virus in me, it threatens to destroy me, I need help. And I'm saying that, I the Pastor I need that help, you need it too. And if you don't think you do, you're in deeper trouble than you ever thought you were. The Bible says "If any man thinks he stands, take heed, watch out, beware, lest you fall." So Romans 7 tells us we have this devastating problem called indwelling sin. You have this monster inside you. Like one of those creepy horror films where something's growing and living inside you and wants to eat its way out of you, it's disgusting. It is disgusting but listen to what Paul says in Romans 7. "I do not understand what I do, for what I want to do I do not do. But what I hate I do, and if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good, as it is, it's no longer I who do it but it is sin living in me." That's not a cop-out, that's just the truth. I have a new creation existence, that hates sin and loves the law of God. I want to be pure and perfect. I want to be just like Jesus, but there's something else inside me, sin, that wants the exact opposite. So the seeds of my own destruction are within me. But thanks be to God, they're not going to win, Amen. Thanks be to God, they are going to be destroyed, the world, the flesh, and the devil will some day lay at my feet, vanquished foes obviously crushed, but I'm still in danger and one of the things I need is I need a healthy church around me to help me with that battle. And you need that too. And so we have to help each other. Nobody should say I can handle my sin problem myself. I don't need anybody's help, I don't need to know or be known, I'm fine. No, you're not fine, you need help, you need help. And that's what this passage is getting at. It says, "See to it." Literally look after this thing, be vigilant, it all has to do with vision. See each other, and that implies know each other. See each other, see to it, watch over it. It's just simple Greek word. Look at it. Look to it, keep your eyes open, be alert, be aware. Similar to the watchfulness, we should all have over our own souls as Jesus said to Simon Peter, after he fell asleep, "Could you not watch and pray with me?" For one hour watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. What does watch mean? Watch so that you will not fall into temptation, be alert. Look both ways before you cross the spiritual street, there is danger. So the thing is, what we're getting here is, don't just watch over yourself. There are other people needing to cross the street too, watch over them as well. Look after each other. It's similar to the watchfulness that elders should have over the flock, at the end of this same book in Hebrews 13:17, it says "Obey your leaders, and submit to their authority, they keep watch over you keep watch over you as those who must give an account." Or again in Acts 20:28, again to the elders. "Keep watch over yourselves." Paul said to the Ephesian elders, "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, be shepherds of the Church of God which he bought with His own blood." So also, all church members should have this same kind of watchfulness over each other. See to it brothers. This is a church-based word, this is something we should be doing for each other. It's a family matter, this is for the family of God, brothers and sisters are to watch over one another and see to it that none of you, not one of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart. Jesus is not willing that any of us should be lost. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, of them, I will lose none but raise them up at the last day. How many church members are you willing to lose? How many of your brothers and sisters are you willing to let slip away into eternity, do you care? Does it matter how many of these regular tenders here at FBC end up in heaven, or hell? I say to you it should matter to you as much as it matters to me. "No pastor, it should matter a little more to you than it does to me." How can you make that argument? I might have different daily responsibilities, but it should matter as much to you as it does to me, whether your brothers and sisters are doing well spiritually or not, it should make a difference to you. And you're supposed to see to it that no one has a sinful, unbelieving heart. Well, that's easy. Just have them open up their little heart meter thing, and see whether it's in the red, yellow, or green zone. Alright, is that what we do? How in the world are we going to do that? Well, I don't think you can do it unless you know and be known, you've got to have relationships with people, you've got to know people well. You've got to build bridges of trust, you can't just do this to anybody. I sense that you are developing a sinful unbelieving heart that's turning away from the living God, and I warn you, don't do it. Well why don't you try that ministry, see how far it goes. That's not going to work very well. But if on the other hand, a brother comes alongside a brother and says, "You know, I'm concerned about you brother." "What do you mean?" "I don't know, we don't talk the way we used to talk, things seem, you just talk different. And recently you're not attending home fellowship as often. I know you've had some good excuses the last week or two, but in general, I just want to know how you're doing." "I'm doing fine." "No, no but how are you doing?" "Well, there've been some challenges." "Well, what kind of thing? Talk to me, tell me what's going on?" This is the kind of conversation we need to have with each other. The whole next sermons about that kind of practicality. So I want to talk all about that, but we've got to do this, we've got to watch over each other concerning our hearts. And the only way you can do that is to know and be known, get to know each other. And the remedy here is encourage one another, it's words. What else can you do? We don't have any tools, screw drivers and wrenches to get up on somebody's heart. That's just not something we can do. The heart is not that part of us that gushes blood. It's in our minds, our souls. It's immaterial. There are no physical tools, there is however, a very powerful tool. The Word of God is a powerful tool for our souls, and so we need to be masterful craftsman, brothers and sisters in Christ who know how to use the word of God with our fellow church members and are able to minister the word of God. We are to encourage one another daily this Paraclete thing, being called alongside to exhort or encourage or warn or commend or consult. It's a very versatile elastic kind of word. The idea is, whatever they need to stay healthy in Jesus, do it for them. If they're grieving, then grieve with them and console them with promises from God, if they're fearful then feed them, feed their faith with the promises of God, if they're starting to drift then warn them, exhort them concerning the promise, if they're just weary and fatigued in the Christian life then give them that exhortation. I grew up in the Boston area watching the Boston marathon, and I was talking to some of you that are interested in marathoning. I'm amazed, a half marathon, I think is long enough, but some of you are going to double that and go to 26.2 miles. Not trying to minister discouragement to you, but I told you that apparently the race is half over at the 20 mile mark. Half over. Not mathematically, but you just don't have anything left to give. You're exhausted, your muscles are just depleted of all of their energy. And in the Boston marathon, there are three diabolical hills starting at the 18 and a half mile mark and ending a little beyond the 20 mile mark. The steepest is the third one at the 20 mile mark and there are all kinds of masochistic weirdo people that stand along the side and just enjoy watching. It's called Heartbreak Hill and they are dropping like flies, but then there are some sweet-spirited, other people, they're not there for that. They are there to exhort the people. Don't give up, it's downhill. Oh, look and see that crest, it's downhill from there. Think about it, think of all of your work, all that you've done. It's almost there. Don't give up. We have to do that for each other, we can't drop out when it's getting really hard and so we are to encourage one another. It says daily, you don't have to be in church to do it. Get on the phone, use social networking if need be. Whatever it takes, encourage daily as long as it is called today. We already talked about that, but while we have opportunity to do something for Jesus can't do anything about yesterday except learn from it. Can't do anything about tomorrow, except prepare for it. But today we can live for Jesus, we can obey, let's encourage each other as long as we have a chance to do something for Jesus. That's what it's talking about. IV. The Warning: Only Those Who Finish Ever Really Began One final word and we'll be done. Verse 14, "We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end, the confidence we have at first." It's really a warning, if you look carefully at you know what to look at. Let me say what it is. The warning is only those who finish ever really began. We don't really know the eternal counsels of Almighty God, we don't understand predestination fully, though it's taught in the Bible. We know that God has identified has chosen his people before the creation of the world. If you accept that doctrine and it is biblical, the next question is, am I one of them. Am I elect am I predestined, am I a child of God? You have come to faith in Christ, you've made a confession of faith. No holy angel came down with a shimmering certificate and handed it to you and been holding it in your right hand ever since. Didn't get anything like that, you just had a time with some other human being maybe, or in a church service or something. And you want to know what really happened then. Now, it's been decades, years, decades later. You want to know what really happened? And I'm struggling with sin, I'm having a... Am I a Christian or not? The central mark that the New Testament gives to answer that question is perseverance in holiness by the power of the Spirit of God. Keep running the race, don't give up, don't drift away, turn away or fall away. And it's interesting, the grammar here is just strange. It's a perfect tense. "We have come to share in Christ…" That's past action, but it's connected with a conditional. That's just weird. Let me tell you how weird it is. Let me give you a sentence and you'll get a sense of it. George Washington was the first President of the United States if... What could you possibly put on the other side of the if that would make any sense at all, other than if he really was or if we read our history books right or something like that, either he was or he wasn't. It's a past event, something that happened in the past. So have you come to share in Christ? Have you become a partaker in Christ? That's what the word means Have you? Has he become your inheritance. Are you a fellow heir with Jesus are you sharer with Jesus? Has that happened to you or not? The answer is Yes if you finish this race, that's what the author's saying. And so, therefore, dear friends, we have to finish this race and not only us but we have to help each other finish this race. Close with me in prayer. Father, we thank you for the power of your Word, the power of Hebrews. I pray that you would use Hebrews 3:12-14 to change First Baptist Church in a very powerful way, to be the strongest United spiritual community it can possibly be to help each one of us finish with endurance, the race that's marked out before us. Please help us, O Lord, to love and to be loved, to forgive and to be forgiven, to reach out to each other and to receive others reaching out to us. Help us O Lord, not to be freaked out by that, but to learn how to do it biblically, not in the manner of the invasive and wicked manner of the cults in which individuals seek to control others, but in the servant manner of a true brother, or sister in Christ, teach us how to do it we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Conquering Heartbreak Hill, Part 1, in the series: Solo Sermons By Pastor Jeff Wickwire
Conquering Heartbreak Hill, Part 1, in the series: Solo Sermons By Pastor Jeff Wickwire
Conquering Heartbreak Hill, Part 1, in the series: Solo Sermons By Pastor Jeff Wickwire
Introduction: Encouragement for the Race Well, it's delightful to be back with you. It's been a couple of weeks since I've had the privilege of preaching here and absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. It's a joy to be with brothers and sisters in Christ in other places, and to see the unity that we have in the spirit. Isn't it? But it's sure good to come home. So I praise God for that. When I was a child and through my growing up years, one of the big events in my home town of Framingham, Massachusetts, was in April we would go down and watch the Boston Marathon. It would come right through our town a world-class event coming right to us and very quickly through us. Alright, right by they went. And some of the world's best runners and some who were not the world's best runners would come right on through our town six miles from the start. So they all looked pretty fresh. They're feeling good about themselves. But anybody who's run long distance races or read about it, there's something that hits a long distance runner called the "Wall." And generally in a marathon it's somewhere around 20 miles and they say that physically and psychologically, the marathon, 26 miles, the marathon is half over at the 20 mile mark and it just so happens in the Boston Marathon that there's a series of steep hills right at that point. Three hills one after the other, right at the 20 mile mark. And they're dropping like flies, it's called Heartbreak Hill and it's tough and there are people, some of the best running fans in the world and some of the most sadistic and masochistic people in the world, just line the streets right up Heartbreak Hill and just enjoy encouraging these folks on or just watching them not make it, one or the other, I'm not sure. Not everyone there has the same motive, but there are some that are there who's express purpose is to give those runners everything they need to get to the top of the hill and to urge them that it really is downhill from the crest. That hill right up there, from then on it's downhill and you'll make it. Is there a brother or sister in Christ here today that doesn't need that in the Christian life? Do you not need the encouragement of the Holy Spirit today? Did you not come in here needing to be cheered on, in your Christian faith? And I don't care if things have gone well for you this week or not. You need the encouragement that Scripture gives. That's what today is all about. That's why I love Sunday, that's why I love to be here because I get weak in my faith, I need to be encouraged, I need the ministry of the Body of Christ, I need the ministry of the Word of God, don't you? And in the spiritual realm, Satan and his demons are lining the road and discouraging us. You'll never make it. Why don't you give up. Sin owns you, you'll never change. Constantly discouraging and so is vital for us that we receive today the ministry of encouragement through the word of God and that is the topic of Romans 15 4-6, it is the power of the Scripture to give to us everything we need to finish the race, that's what it's about. Fully Equipped and Supplied for the Christian Race The Lord wants us fully and amply supplied right to the end of our Christian race. He doesn't want us just to start or to proceed for a while, he wants every one of his chosen children to finish the race. Of all that the Father has given me I will lose none but raise them up at the last day. We have to finish this race and He is going to give to us everything we need to finish, and He does it through scripture. And from scripture comes instruction and from instruction comes endurance and encouragement, and from all of these come hope. And all of this produces a unity in the body of Christ, that is essential to the completion of God's work in the world, and without these regenerating supplies, I tell you, the church will not be able to finish its infinite journey, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. And without these regenerating supplies you will not be able to finish your personal race either, for you are commanded to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect. To be just like Christ. And that's a long journey. And so for both the internal journey of Christ-like maturity, the external journey of worldwide evangelization, we need the regenerating supply of encouragement that the scripture is here to give us. Now, last time, a number of weeks ago, we looked at Romans 15 1-3, and you can look there now, we saw the obligation that strong Christians have to bear the failings of the weak. Verse 1 says We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves, each of us should please his neighbor for his good to build him up, for even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. So that's what we looked at last time. Now, remember the context, maybe some of you haven't been here with us, through Chapter 14 and 15, but the context is the church at Rome, Rome is the capital of the Roman empire, the most important city in the Gentile world. And that church that Roman Church was a mixed church of Jew and Gentile, and they struggled with debatable issues, they struggled with, with what kinds of foods they could eat and what the role of the law of Moses would play in the church life, and it's amazing how the apostle Paul gives a chapter and a half, about, to the issue of the church getting along through these debatable issues. And the reason for this incredible focus verse after verse after verse as the Apostle Paul tries to keep the Roman Church united, the reason is that a united spirit-filled, gospel believing gospel preaching church, is the chosen instrument of Almighty God for the destruction of Satan's empire and for the advancement of His name and His glory in the world. That's what he's chosen. And so therefore, the church must be united, the church must understand the gospel of liberty, the church must be pure from sin. We have to help one another because this is the way that God has chosen to destroy the devil and his empire. So Paul desires for the strong Christians, the mature ones to help the weak, he desires them to stay together to not fracture and fragment into a bunch of groups that fall apart and drop down into the dust. There they are in Rome surrounded by Imperial pomp and paganism, and worldly success and temptations of plenty, and it would have been so easy for that fragile coalition of Jew and Gentile believers in Christ, to fragment and for pieces to be lost. And Paul did not want that to happen, and so he wanted to minister here, encouragement, he wanted to minister the body of Christ, to hold it together by the power of the Spirit. I. Ancient Scripture’s Immediate Purpose And so he's zeroing in on those supplies that will keep the Church united. And he begins in verse four by talking about the role and the purpose of scripture. "For everything that was written in the past, was written to teach us…" So he's talking about the ancient writings, the scriptures, what we call the Old Testament. Now, we have to ask in context, why this parentheses, why does Paul stop and talk about scripture at this point, what's his purpose? Well, the immediate purpose, verse three had just gotten done quoting scripture, as it is written, the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me at Psalm 69, he's quoting the Old Testament. And frankly it's a bit obscure the quotation, it's a little hard to follow, how it fits in if you read Psalm 69, you might have a hard time seeing the point that Paul was making, but he makes his point. But then he wants to stop and say I want you to know something about Scripture. I want you to understand the ongoing role of the Old Testament. Now, this is by my count, the 65th time that the Apostle Paul has quoted the Old Testament in the book of Romans. 65 times up to this point and he'll quote it six more times in this chapter And so he wants to stop and just talk about the ancient writings, the ancient scriptures. He wants to commend the purpose of scripture. Now, I believe that the devil's ancient work may be one of the oldest works of the Devil on Earth is to get human beings to doubt the Scripture, to doubt the Word of God specifically. You look at Genesis 3, and what does the devil say to Eve "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" Injecting the seed of doubt. Oh how much trouble has come from that seed of doubt over the Word of God. But injecting that seed of doubt. Now how does it fit into the context of the church at Rome? Well it's a mixed church, you've got Jews who are well-acquainted with the Old Testament, and Gentiles who probably weren't as well-acquainted with the law of Moses and with all of these regulations and all that. They haven't been living them, they maybe were familiar with them. They're coming together now in a whole new era of redemptive history. It's the New Covenant now, it's a different time. And so I think the Gentiles in particular are going to be tempted to want to just jettison the Old Testament or least sections of it, to say we don't need this anymore, it's obsolete. Why do we even have to read the law of Moses? We don't have to circumcise our sons anymore, we can eat any kind of meat we want. Why do we even need it? And so Paul wants to stop and to espouse, to establish the ongoing role of the ancient scriptures for both Jew and Gentile believer. So that they don't throw out the Bible. Furthermore, you know it was those Old Testament regulations that excluded the Gentiles anyway, that was that wall of separation that kept them on the outside. So if you're a Gentile believer, you might be tempted to just want to throw it out and get rid of it. He says No. "Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us." He says. He's talking about the Old Testament. Now, what's amazing for me as a church historian somebody interested in church history is that within one century there was a heretic in Rome named Marcian who did the very thing that Paul's protecting against. Marcian in 144 AD started his own church, in Rome. I guess that would be second Baptist in Rome, something like that. But it was the second, it was a schismatic group, and at the root of Marcian's heretical church was that the Old Testament was written by an evil God, what he called a demiurge. A wicked and evil God and therefore its teachings are wrong. We just need the letters of Paul, we need some or parts of the Gospel etcetera. He considered himself to be the successor to the Apostle Paul in his battle against Jewish legalism, he really wanted to strip the church of all of its Jewish roots that was a heresy that he started in Rome. Now, there are modern attacks on the old Testament. Ever hear it? There's the God of the Old Testament and then there's the of God of the New Testament, the God of the Old Testament is the God of wrath, and arbitrary rules that we don't need to follow anymore. The God of the New Testament is the God of love and mercy and grace, we see it in Jesus, in His inclusivity, and in his love for people. But then the Old Testament, this God reigns down fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah and so there's a split there. So you see people like Thomas Jefferson or Mahatma Gandhi or Albert Einstein making disparaging comments about the Old Testament, and even somewhat attracted to Jesus even Einstein as a Jewish man. Many modern people attack the concept of the Old Testament and any thought of reconciling the message of the Old Testament and the New. All Scripture Given for a Purpose But Paul here, I believe, is defending all of scripture, and saying, all of scripture is helpful and beneficial to Christians in an ongoing way. The scripture was given for a purpose. Look at verse 4, it says, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope." That is a purpose statement. It's why the Bible was given to us, God had a reason for writing it down. So many attackers of The Bible, critics of the Bible make it a human book. The Bible is ultimately God's book and God had a reason for giving it to us, he had a purpose in writing it down. Look at the purpose statements, everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. That's an infinitive of purpose. So that that's a purpose statement. That we might have hope, that is the purpose that he's giving us. This is a very purposeful statement here, and he's saying that all of scripture is a gift, it's all that way. "Everything that was written in the past," he says, reminds me of 2nd Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." And that means everything, that means the history books, all the Old Testament history, that means the genealogies are there for a reason. That means the Law of Moses still has something to say to us even though it's been fulfilled in the new covenant. That means that the prophecies are there for us to read. Everything that was written in the past, etcetera. And what is God's intended audience? Well, it's us, His people, His chosen people, through every generation century after century. God was thinking about you when he spoke to Abraham and he said, "So shall your offspring be." And Abraham heard that promise concerning the stars, he heard that promise, and he believed God, and the scripture says, "Abraham believed God and it was credited him as righteousness," Romans chapter 4. The Apostle Paul says this, "The words, 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Those words were written down for us so that we could read them. All of those prophecies. You look at what David wrote, "They have pierced my hands and my feet," Psalm 22. Did David know what He was writing? He didn't understand it was written for us. First Peter 1, said they didn't understand they searched trying to understand it, but "it was revealed to them, that they were not serving themselves," but us. Jesus himself in the debates with the Sadducees, he talked about the account of the burning bush and he said, "But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven't tou read what God said to you. I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." God is speaking to you through Scripture. When you take up the Bible in the morning for your quiet time, you should say, God speak to me, say something to me, this is a biblical concept. So everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that we might have certain things happening in our soul. Some time ago. I read a book by Graeme Goldsworthy called "Gospel and Kingdom" and he's troubled by some of those glib applications, you know David and Goliath. There was a chapter somewhat humorously, entitled "Killed any good giants lately?" And basically the problem he has with the application of scripture is that it goes too quickly from the text right over to immediate modern day application. So what are the giants in your life? Boy it'd be easy for me as a preacher to just do that. Alright? What are the giants in your life? And whatever problems financial. I could even do a three-point sermon. You probably might like it occasionally. Alright, giant number one, giant number two, giant number three. I looked at that and I said that isn't right, but you know something, I must tell you, I've kind of come, not full circle, but come to a different place. You still need to read the story of David and Goliath, saying what are you saying to me, Lord? What are you trying to teach me here? Yes, David is more like Jesus, than he is like us, We are not called to be heroic and go save the people of God, by facing such a ferocious giant. We're more like the Israelites cowering in the holes wanting someone else to save us. That is all true but you still need to learn something, you need to be fed by the scripture, you must be. That's why it was given. And so I've kind of come full circle. My yearning today is that you who are sitting and listening to me today will get what you need for this week to be holy and fruitful for Christ. That's my yearning, apart from that I've wasted my time and yours. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Now, there's a lot of immediate purposes, here. Look at it, you see, everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. So, that's instruction so that through endurance and encouragement, we might have hope. Those are immediate goals of the scripture. There are others that come in, not right here, but they're there. As you read the Bible, warnings against sin, and their enticements, through promises. Joy and celebration, wonder and awe, insight and understanding. All kinds of good things come to us when we read the Scripture. But let me tell you something, the ultimate purpose of scripture, the ultimate purpose of scripture is that God may be glorified by your salvation. That's the purpose. Because it says in Second Timothy 3-15. Paul speaking to Timothy, how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. That is why the scripture was given and you know that salvation is a lifetime work, and so through faith in Christ Jesus, that you would be given the wisdom you need to believe. And the ultimate goal of Verse 6, "So that with one heart and mouth, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." That's why the Bible was given, so that we wretched sinners would be cleansed of our wretched sin. And that we would be brought into the very presence of God and that we would be eternally glorifying God for His mercy in Christ. That's the purpose of scripture. II. Scripture’s Glorious Chain Reaction Now, look at the glorious chain reaction we have here. Look again at verse 4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope." First, Paul starts with instruction. The Bible Was Given For Instruction The Bible was given to teach us. Have you ever heard people speak about head knowledge? They almost always say, it negatively. Well, I'm not sure what part of my body I'm supposed to use to have knowledge. Okay, is it okay for us to have head knowledge? What do you think? I don't think it's just Okay, I think it's absolutely essential to the Christian life. The problem is if it just stays in your head and it's not transforming your heart, that's what they say, and we agree about that. But my goodness, there can be no heart knowledge without first there being some head knowledge. Would you all agree? Just nod at me, I know it's hot in here friends. I know I'm hot too, but yes, we must have the head knowledge before we can have the heart knowledge. And so the scripture was given to teach us, to teach us things that we would not know any other way. Facts about God, His attributes, what he's like, his decrees in eternity, his actions in history, facts about God, facts also about Christ, His person, His miracles, His teachings, His death on the cross, His resurrection, His ascension, His future reign. His coming in glory, judgment He will sit and all the nations, gather before him. I need to know these facts and I can't know them any other way, except from the Bible. Facts also about the people of God, about the Jews in the Old Testament, about the church in the New Testament trying to understand what happened to people when they obeyed, what happened to people when they disobeyed. I need to know these things. And scripture was given to teach me. And frankly, without this knowledge we cannot have faith and without faith our character cannot be transformed and without our character being transformed we cannot act differently. And so knowledge that the Scripture gives primes the pump for the entire Christian journey. We must have this knowledge, we must know what the Bible teaches. I think this is the essence of Romans 12:2 were it says, "Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind and then you'll be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. And so the scripture was given to teach us. Don't despise a teaching ministry. Thank God for it. I'm not here just to move your emotions. I think there are other speakers that can do that better than I can. But I want you to know what Romans 15, 4 through 6 teachers. That's my goal today because I trust that this scripture will help you in your Christian life. And I have a sense I may never preach on it again. And so my desire is that you would understand as fully as possible within the hour and a half that we have together that you would understand. See, some of you are laughing, others are visitors and you're worried now. Okay? We are not going to be here an hour and a half, but in the brief time we have I want you to understand this text. That's my goal, every week. So teaching. The Bible Was Given for Endurance Secondly, endurance. Notice that Paul gives two character traits that are closely related, endurance and encouragement. Endurance is the ability to persevere through trials and temptations without giving up. Endurance means you don't give up, you keep going, you're in a 26 mile race and at the 20 mile mark when you are exhausted and you think there is no way you can make it through those last six miles that now are feeling like 60 and your legs are heavy and you burned all of the resources you have and you just don't have any idea how you'll make it another step, you must have endurance. That's what endurance is. Endurance is essential to your salvation. Think about Luke 8:15, The Parable of the Seed and the Soils. The seed on good soils stands for those with a noble and good heart who hear the word, retain it and by endurance produce a crop. You gotta stick with it in the Christian life. You can't give up. Again, in Romans 2:7, it says, "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality He will give to them eternal life." That is not salvation by works, friends. He's just describing the life that ends up in heaven. Persistence in doing good, seeking glory, honor and immortality. That's the Christian life. Romans 8:25, it says, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it with endurance, we wait for it patiently." And again in Hebrews 10:36, you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. Perseverance, endurance is essential to the Christian life. Now, the Christian life can become easily very discouraging, isn't that true? Are you ever tempted to be discouraged in your Christian life? Look inward, you say you know you need to be like Christ, but you keep seeing the sin crop up. You thought you were done with it. Irritability, lust, pride, selfishness, materialism, idolatry. And you thought you were done and you're not. And it's so discouraging as you fight sin, so discouraging. You yearn to see more godliness in your family life, in your marriage, in your parenting, in your relationship, in your family. And their sin is active as well. You want to see yourself lead more people to Christ, but nobody ever seems to come to Christ or the ones that show some indications they end up being the other seeds in the soil. The sun comes up or whatever and then a year later they're not around. And that's so discouraging. You want to see your church be a glorifying spirit filled fruitful Church and it's less than you think it should be. And all of us see it. And it's discouraging, it can be very discouraging. Let me tell you something. I said recently, we're meeting with a group of men and I said, "Satan is eager to sell you discouragement at every corner of the road." I remember I was on a mission trip to Haiti. I'll never forget this. And we were going through the streets of Port-au-Prince and we were in the poorest area of the city, Cite Soleil. And we saw kids coming with containers and getting muddy ditch water out of the ditch and then going into the tent city there. And I thought, "What in the world are they going to use that water for?" Well, about a mile of the road there were these cute little Haitian kids coming right up to our bus, we weren't moving very fast, we were going... We were just stop and go. And they're coming right to the windows and they're trying to sell us refreshing looking drinks of blue and red and orange color. They didn't look new. The bottles looked mostly clean. And I looked at that and I said, "No way am I buying that and drinking it, even though I'm very thirsty." And it did have condensation on the outside, it looked refreshing. But I said, there's poison in that bottle. There's no way my system can handle it. But they were persistent in selling it, they really wanted to sell it to us. And I think that's a picture of what the devil tries to do with discouragement. So, "Here, have this, drink this." All of the time, "Be discouraged, feel down." And we've got to say, "No sale." I can't be discouraged just because my story has a happy ending, has a glorious ending. How can I be discouraged? And the whole Church's story is a glorious story with a happy ending. Discouragement is unfit for the Christian life. We have to fight it at every turn. So how does scripture resupply our endurance? Well, it gives us examples of endurance in the Bible. Look at Abraham waiting 25 years to get Isaac. Look at Joseph who unjustly is sold into slavery by his brothers, unjustly imprisoned by Potiphar, unjustly left there when some others of servants of Pharaoh said they would get him out, but they didn't. But through all of that he maintains, Jacob said, "Limber arms in the service of God." He's ready to go and when his time came he wasn't bitter, he wasn't angry, he just stepped forward. Endurance. Or you've heard of the patience or endurance of Job, how he went through all of these trials and never cursed God or sinned. So examples. Hannah, who prayed for a child and God granted her prayer. Or the Apostle Paul as he city after city is persecuted. Endurance. Scripture also re-supplies our endurance by giving us promises connected to our endurance. How about this one, in Matthew 10:22, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Well, that's an encouragement. Isn't it? To endurance. Or by dire warnings of what happens to people who don't persevere. Look at Samson. Samson made it through three tests with Delilah, right? "Tell me the secret of your great strength." I just want to know. He was not a discerning guy. Why do you want to know the secret of my strength? This is making me suspicious. Alright? And then even worse to test whether he told the truth, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you." This is not a good relationship. And he should've known, but he didn't. And finally through the nagging on and on, he gave up, he just gave up. It's a picture of us and temptation, isn't it? We just get tired and we give in. It's an example. Look what happened to him, his eyes were put out and he lost his strength. Or by stimulations to prayer through to strengthen perseverance. Jesus said in Luke 18:1, He "told His disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and never give up." So He gets you praying, Jesus tells you this parable about the persistent widow and all that. And that you should never give up, keep praying. Or just commands in Hebrews 10:36. "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will see what He has promised. You must persevere. These five different ways, He strengthens your endurance. The Bible Was Given for Encouragement The next word that Paul talks about here is encouragement. We've been talking about it the whole time. This is a weighty word, it's related to the word "paraclete" which is the Holy Spirit, the counselor, it is that encouragement that the Holy Spirit gives, the scripture was given for that purpose. You read of the sweetness of heaven and you're encouraged. You read of the power of God, the immutable, the unshakable power of God to finish your salvation and you are encouraged. You read of the mighty power of Christ resurrection from the dead and he is a pattern of what you will do someday. And you're encouraged. You read of the ultimate defeat of Satan, we'll get to it in Romans 16, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. And you're encouraged. You read of the promises of God to help you day after day and you are encouraged. Strengthen yourself by the Word of God, don't yield to that weakness that discouragement brings. The scripture was meant to give you encouragement. The Bible Was Given for Hope And the ultimate result of this glorious chain is hope. Hope is a certainty of delightful future things based on the promise of God. Absolutely delightful and absolutely certain. That's what hope's all about. And you know something, without hope you will not fight the good fight of faith. You just won't. You'll give in to temptation. You'll stop doing your ministry, you'll give up, you'll give up on this church, you'll give up in your family, you'll give up in your marriage, you'll give up in your fight against sin, you just will give up. You must have hope because if you don't have hope you will not fight. And if you don't fight you will not make any progress. You've got to have hope. So you see the glorious chain. Scripture instructs us, through the instruction we get endurance and encouragement. The result of that is hope and we keep moving in the Christian life. III. God’s Wonderful Gifts: Endurance, Encouragement, Unity And praise God for it. That's what he's giving us. Now, all of these wonderful things are from God. Isn't that wonderful? Look at verse five and six, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is the benediction. It's not a prayer. Because you're not talking to God, but he's talking almost like a prayer. It's like a benediction. May the Lord be gracious to you and bless you, may He make his face shine upon you and give you rest. That kind of benediction. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement. But the point of the benediction is that all of the good things you need to see the race through to the end, they come from God. Now, many of you saw a number of years ago that film about Eric Little, Chariots of Fire. And I don't know if you remember, but there's this very dramatic point earlier in the movie in which he, who's usually just a sprinter, 100 meter runner, runs the 400 meters. And he gets knocked down to the ground. And in a race that short it's still longer, it's longer than 100 meters. But race that short, that's a kiss of death. There's no way you're going to be able to get up off the ground and win a 400 meter race. Except that Eric Little just wouldn't give up. So he gets up and he digs deep and he fights as hard as he can. And at the tape, he wins the race. After that he gives somewhat of a gospel presentation. And he's talking about the Christian race, he likens the Christian faith to the running of a race. And he says, "Where then does the strength come from to see the race through to the end?" And what does he say? "It comes from within." No it doesn't. I'm sorry, I know it's a good Christian movie and all that kind of thing, but that's just wrong. Let me ask you a question, how long would you have lasted in your Christian life if all of your resources had to come from yourself? Would you not have given up a long, long time ago. Let me ask the question again because it is a good question. We just need the right answer. Where then does the strength come from to see the race through to the end? He actually corrects it later in the movie by quoting Isaiah 40. You remember? He's in Paris he's at the Church of Scotland and it's so powerful, this montage of success and failure, athletic, whatever. And you're listening to Isaiah 40 and this is what it says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth, He will not grow tired or weary. His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, he increases the power of the faint. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." So where then does the strength come from to see the race through the end? It comes from God. How do you keep getting up in the morning and having your quiet time, how is it after a day in which you have yielded to temptation and you feel disgusting and you feel totally unfit to be a Christian, the next day there's an internal strength to get up, repent, confess and try it again. Where does that strength come from? It comes from God who will not let you go. And praise God for it. He's got hold of you and He will never let you go until you are finished being saved. Where then does the strength come from to see the race through to the end? It comes from the one who began the race in you and that is God. And God wants to give us, this church and all Christian churches around the world, one final gift. He wants to give us a spirit of unity among ourselves. He wants us to love each other and care about how the race is going for each other and to notice when somebody is stumbling and falling and to help them to be a minister of encouragement to them strengthening them by means of the scripture, that's what he wants, he wants to give us a spirit of unity among ourselves so that we don't give up. None of us give up. Brother and sister, does it matter to you if your brothers and sisters finish this race? Did you care? Does it matter to you? You should. We will watch over one another in brotherly love. That's what we say we're going to do for each other. And what is God's ultimate purpose in all of this? Well, may the God who gives endurance and encouragement, give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ, literally, according to Christ Jesus so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. IV. God’s Ultimate Purpose: Perfect Unity in Glorifying Him Friends, the purpose of everything is right there, the Glory of God. He does it all for His own Glory, he's saving you so that you can with one heart and mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Where are we heading? Where are we going? Well, in Christ, we're going to heaven and what are we going to see when we get there? Well, we're going to see a throne and someone sitting on it? And if we look around, we're going to see people from every tribe and language and people and nation. And they will be with one heart and mouth focused on one thing, the throne and the One sitting on it. And they will be honoring and glorifying the Lamb of God. Who shed his blood that they could be there. Who paid the price so that we could be there. And there will be no divisions by race. There will be no divisions socio-economically, no division by talent or intelligence or gender or what era of church history we lived in. We'll all be one. That's where we're heading. Now, I think it's good for us to act like it in the meantime. So that when people walk into this Church they sense and feel strongly a sense of unity among ourselves. We need to see it in our corporate worship. We're shifting out application. Every Sunday, will you please get yourself ready to worship and glorify God? Will you please do it in this way? Go to the Scriptures and say, "Lord, who am I in Christ? Please tell me how much you love me." If you have to confess sin then do it. Repent and bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance. Get yourself ready to be with the brothers and sisters in Christ. Strengthen yourself in the spirit. And listen, if this upcoming week you're discouraged, don't just lay there and be discouraged. Fight it, open up the Word of God and say, "Lord encouraged me. Please feed me, sustain me and strengthen me through the word of God. Give me a message today so that I could be filled with joy." You know something? We're of no use if we don't really believe how much God has loved us. We have no use if we're not happy in Jesus. So you need to labor on yourself every day in the Scripture to be encouraged. And then finally, ultimately, you need to trust in Christ as your personal Savior. I have no idea, I look out at faces and I don't know where each of you are at. Some of me I know very well, but others I don't know well. The Scripture gives the central endurance and encouragement in this way, come to Christ, come to the cross, believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, trust in Him for the forgiveness of your sins. Close with me in prayer.
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