I can't believe this is the week!   Lord willing I'll be going down to Washington D.C. on Friday - I plan on viewing some of the D.C. sights and then go to the armory to pickup my number and electronic chip.  Then it'll will be a big spaghetti dinner.

The race is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.   
 
For the race I need to pack:
1. My asthma medicine
2. Running Shorts, Shirt, Shoes
3. Belt with holder for camera, and cell
4. Cell phone, and camera
5. GPS Watch w/ heart monitor

  
 

It looks all down hill after mile eight.  

   
Megan and me dressed for the parade.  

Well this morning has been busy.   First we (Jennifer, Elizabeth, Megan and I) got in the car to drive to the Morristown 5K run.   On the way there we had a flat tire.   We thought this was going to be a problem where we would  not be able to enter the race.  However the AAA roadside service was there quickly and changed the tire (I would have changed it - but I did not had the lug wrench).    Anyway we got to the race with time to spare (sorry..corny joke).    As we were waiting for the 1 mile kid run - Megan started to do her Irish dancing while she was waiting.   A number of people started to watch her with delight.   

Anyway some lady asked us if Megan was entered in the 1 mile run and we answered in the affirmative.    She told us the kids are about the run, so we followed her to the starting line - only to be informed that they already left (opps..).   So without a big start - Jennifer and Megan took off for the 1 mile kid run.   I am happy to report that they did the run in a little less then 14 minutes.  Also I should note that this mile run was the first time Jennifer ever ran a mile!  Way to go Jennifer!

I then went over to the starting line for the 5k race.    The line was packed and I ended up squeezing in 30-40 people back from the starting line.   The start was the worst part of the race, because of the number of people running (about 1,500) and street was quite narrow, we ended up tripping on each other, and there was no way to pass anyone.    

A number of people passed me by at the 1 mile marker - but I did not push hard, because I knew that after the 1.5 mile marker - there is a long steep incline.   When we had the steep hill I then pushed hard and regained on a number of people that passed me earlier.   Hill are often looked on as something horrible - but hills can be turned around as an opportunity, to get ahead.   Anyway I finished the race in 26 minutes and 03 seconds [pace=8:24] - which is a personal record for me (1 minute, 50 seconds better) in a race.   Here's the map and stats:

 

After the race - we went to the Morristown parade because my bag pipe band and Megan's Irish dancing class were marching.   My band lead the parade - so when we walked the parade route, I was able to walk back and watch Megan march in her first parade.   They did their dance routine in front of a crowd of cheering people, in the Morristown Square, and when done - Megan starts to throw kisses to everyone (what a ham).   She really seemed to have a really good time, as did Jennifer and Elizabeth.


Megan step dancing in the Parade

All this Irish culture makes we hungry for Corned Beef & Cabbage, and Irish Soda Bread.  I believe we are going to have our annual special Irish meal on Wednesday.  (I have no class on Wednesday because it's spring break.) 

One Weeks to Go Before Washington D.C.  1/2 Marathon! (click here)

Yep... the man that is known for pushing the earth - when doing a push up - would consider being President of Texas.  

In this article Chuck Norris suggests that if the nation continues on this course - Texas may need to declare their independence.     This is not the first movement in modern times for such a thing.   Unknown to many people - Texas never officially voted to join the United States - and would have one of the best argument (compared to other states) to secede from the Union.  

http://www.newsobserver.com/1573/story/1437578.html

One think which I have said over the years - is that the Democrats are like a train going a hundred miles an hour over a deadly cliff - the Republicans on the other hand are more like a 50 mile hour train running over the same cliff.   The article quotes Norris as stating the same thought; "the Republicans are taking the nation the same direction as the Democrats, 'just slower.'"   He's preaching to the choir!

Well if Texas wants to secede - I know where I am moving.   ; )

I wrote in my last post how the church situation in America is not quite as dismal as indicated by those which did the highlights on the Trinity College survey.  However it is true that the evangelical church has been slowly bleeding over many generations and secular society has been increasingly leaning towards Sodom.    This leads to a question as to "is the Church on the right path?" and "what can be done to correct our course?"  Unlike those in the media - I am writng on this not to depress the church - but to point the way, so that the church may be strengthened.   

How the World Often Infiltrates a Church:
As mentioned by me in the survey highlights - liberal mainline churches are disappearing around the United States - which tells us that going liberal will lead a church down a destructive path.   There is an illusion that if we become more like the world, without compromising on the bigger issues the world will love us.   So churches have changed their music, add new activities in their worship - to accomplish this.  The negative effects are not often seen immediately and sometimes take the next generation to emerge.   This next generation also will be infected by the philosophy of compromise and begin to make their own.    The thought is "it's only worship" and "we need to appeal to the youth and this culture."     Big mistake!  Appealing to God should be the highest concern regarding worship!   Once a church goes down the path whereby man is central, instead of God - it's all down hill.  It's like dominoes.   Once doctrines dealing with worship go down the next stop will be the doctrines regarding salvation.   

Let us look at Malachi, chapter one, it records God displeasure at second rate worship.  

"And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts."

You see God is the best and deserves our best in worship.   Satan seek to corrupt such worship, because he knows that this is a willing entrance into corrupting the whole of the church. 

How the World Often Infiltrates the Church's Message:
The message of the Church is as simple as Jesus preached.   "Repent and Believe".   This has been watered down by many which seek to be liked by the world, by saying "join with us"  - be apart of our club or "merely Believe".   That's not what Jesus was teaching.  

Have you ever planted seeds, without tilling the ground?   That is the point of preaching repentance.   Jesus explained repentance - by explaining the width and depth of the law of God - which lead the disciples to wonder, who then can be saved.    The law is presented for two reasons.  First the law are God's real standards and we should seek to live by it.   Second it is a standards whereby we can never measure up to because of our fallen state.   All of this leads up to the gospel - where in Christ is presented as the only savior which can save us from our sins and the wrath to come.   The demains of God - (the message of the law and the good news) need to be pressed upon the hearts of the people.   They should be called upon to respond and to get right with God.  "Join us evangelicals" is just not the gospel!   After two thousand years the gospel is the same;  "Repent and Believe".  

How the World (Marketing Ideas) Often Infiltrates the Church's Life:
I have heard many churches press upon people to spread the gospel in their daily lives.  They are hammered Sunday by Sunday by messages to get out there into the battle and tell people the good news.   While well meaning -  I take issue with this.   The Bible says we are to have an answer for those which ask us for the reason for the hope which is within us.    Meaning that people first are to see our lives - and are prompted to ask why.   You see people will not be impressed with talk.  Everyone talks.   We are not just to talk about the good news we are to first live our new lives.  Lives which should provoke a response and make people sit up and notice.  The necessity of leading such lives are often not highlighted when discussing getting the message out to our neighbors.   Until we change this we will only have the effect of a poorly done Coke commercial.  

How the World (Faithlessness) Comes into the Church:
Often people in the church want to appear reasonable and thereby want to entertain compromises to supernational  events in the Bible. By seeming to be reasonable they believe they will be more respected.  They start to cave-in by saying the world was not created in 6 literal days, that Noah's flood wasn't worldwide, etc... - This is the beginning of unbelief which will swallow the church whole.   Once you begin to place science over scripture you are undercutting the authority of scripture and will be a mere a step away from denying other supernatural events like the virgin birth and the resurrection.   Again these so-called small issues are doorways to larger problems and eventually falling away from the faith. 

To many Christians scratch their heads and wonder why the world doesn't like them.  Just like many people in the world they are tempted to bridge this gap.   The problem is Jesus warned that the world would not like you - that if they did not like Him they will not like the faithful Christian.    The world has a secular world view which is man centered and only see God as a means to an ends (feeling good about yourself).   A Christian world view is God centered - whereby we are created to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.    There is no bridging this gap without compromising the truth.     

I therefore ask you reader to contend for the truth which was once delivered to the saints.   We have a banner over head which is Christ's banner of victory.    Just like the battles recorded in the Old Testament - as they marched into battle God asks only one thing which is faithfulness.   Not sales gimicks...not compromising, just faithfulness. 

                                                                    a silver lining.

Today a poll from Trinity College it was released highlighting themes which were meant to depress Christians.   Christianity is down, atheism is up.   Bummer right?   

However the facts are these;

• Those that stated no religious preference, atheist, or agnostic continued to grow, however at a much slower pace then in the 1990's.   From 8.2% in 1990, to 14.1% in 2001, to 15.0% in 2008.  A slower growth towards athesism is a good thing! 
  
• The decline in people identifying themselves as 'Christians' were those from mainstream liberal Protestant churches.   Many of these so-called 'Christians' were merely attended churches because of tradition, and never really believed in the Bible to begin with.  With the end of Sunday blue laws and the boldness of stores seeking $$ on sunday this is no surprise.  Also those which fake religion eventually leave their faith - liberalism over time - often destroys denominations.  This isn't a change of hearts - but a realignment. 
  
• Evangelicals actually grew in numbers according to this survey.  
  
  
  Those that do these surveys have an agenda.   Such agendas are is not meant to help the church, but to depress the church - letting them think we are losing and there is no hope.  That gay marriage, abortion are inevitable.   That the gospel needs to be modernized (meaning watered down).  The truth is Jesus Christ has already won the battle at the cross!   Jesus is winning hearts today - gathering those that are His into His kingdom, and He can't be stopped.   The church, in Christ's name is on the road to victory - and needs only to remain faithful to their Lord and Master.  
  
   1 Cor. 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  
  

Iran is on the verge of a nuclear bomb.   Korea is sending missiles up, in order to show that they can reach the United States, and the Stock Market is a disaster losing 20% of it's value since President Obama has gotten into office.  

And what is President Obama doing.....as Rome Burns.

• Conducting a smear campaign against Rush Limbaugh
• Writing love letters to Russia, Iran and Cuba
• Highlighting that he saved 25 jobs on a day when we lost over a 1/2 million jobs
• and now reversing the prior Administration's so-called "moderate stance" on Stem Cell research.

Just when I thought President Obama couldn't do any worst.   But that's not what most Americans are thinking - they appear to be spell bound, drinking the cool aid that is provided for them by the mainstream press.   Isn't it true that those that don't learn from history and bound to repeat it.   I do hope, against hope, that the country learns from this experience.    But I won't hold my breath.

  

This is an excellent tool that I use to plan my runs.
www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=276139

My results:

One Week for the 5K in Morristown! (click here)

Two Weeks to Go Before Washington D.C.  1/2 Marathon! (click here)

Those which have watch the Wizard of Oz remember this line whereby the "wizard" tries to draw attention away from himself  - so that all eyes are on the illusion.    As of late there has been distraction after distraction by the Obama administration and the media to divert our eyes off what is really going on.   They are putting on a great show with, possible Iraq troop draw downs, drama between Obama and Pelosi, Bush era memos and stirring up debates about Rush Limbaugh and want you not to notice the man behind the curtain.   For example a NYC paper yesterday focused on the possible troop draw down (Obama is displayed as the only hero) , and today the paper was all about Limbaugh.   Hello!   It's the economy dudes!  (Am I allowed to use the word dudes, at my age?)

• The $3.5 trillion and $4 trillion budget which which has thousands upon thousands of wasteful earmarks. As one excellent commercial states you can spend a million dollars, every day since the birth of Christ and you're not even three-quarters of the way - to this level of spending. 
  
  
• That Obama ran as a candidate which would put an end to wasteful earmarks. As clear of a broken promise as President H Bush's no new taxes pledge.   An issue whereby the media slammed Bush -but gives Obama a pass.
  
  
• That Wall Street has be responding negatively to Obama's budget erasing truckloads of money from people's retirement.   Obama shrugged this off as unimportant as if the only people hurt from this are the wealthy!  
  

While the new media is reporting this show is a merely a distraction - the main stream media is telling us "Please Ignore the Man Behind the Curtain" and sadly some are listening. 

 

In the last two weeks I have come to realize that that President Obama is not like the Clinton Administration, but is more, and more like the Carter Administration.   President Clinton threw the Radical Left a few bones as he governed in his best interest.  President Obama on the other hand is not throwing a few bones, but is a firm believer of his ideology, declaring war against the rich and the upper middle-class, and is striving to remake the country into a nanny state.   All of this is reminiscent of the Carter era.     If you are old enough to remember Carter was a disaster as far as dealing with the economy and his foreign policies.  He fully implimented his liberal worldview of punishing success and placating the enemies of the United States.  On the bright side, following Carter's leadership would almost guarantee a single term in office.    However, Obama will have damaged things so bad we will see its negative effects well into the future.   

It's been a tough week, because I was sick earlier this week.  I did not get much running in until today.  
Today I ran 10 miles, which again is a new record.   Here's the map and stats;

Start: Gardner Field, Denville
Distance: 10 Miles
Time: 1:45
Average Pace: 10:33





Three Weeks to Go Before Washington D.C. !