Albert Runs

BCS Champ......not BAMA!

2012-01-18T08:57:00.004-06:00

Well, I've been lazy. It's January 18th and this is my first post of the new year. Sorry about that. I could say that I've been busy which is true, but it's not really an excuse..... I still could've found time to write. I still often debate if I want to keep this blog up or not. I enjoy it once I get a post done, but it's figuring out what to write about that's hard for me. That alone stifles my motivation to do it. Plus I sometimes debate if it's worth it. Not sure how many are reading. But then I keep going back to me.....not to be self-centered, but the fact is that even if nobody is reading, I think this is good for me and my spiritual relationship with God. It's just one more tool to keep me close to Him and to keep my life on track where it should be. So I plan for now to keep it up. I have grown so much closer to God in the last year and I don't want to become stale. I think this blog keeps me from being stale.

So about a week ago, we all watched the BCS championship. Unfortunately, my least favorite team in America won the whole thing. "Bama".....just typing the word makes me cringe. Can't stand 'em. What kind of Auburn fan would I be if I could? I was rooting for LSU....not a big fan of them either, but would've been much better than the alternative. Unfortunately, LSU's offense didn't show up for that game. I can honestly say that it was the most boring game I've ever watched. There was no action 'til late in the 4th quarter. I honestly wish Oklahoma State would've gone to the title game just for some more scoring. I think there would've been a lot more.....by LSU that is. But Bama was the better team....apparently....they did win. So they can enjoy their title....again! Hopefully next year, my Auburn Tigers will do a little better, although they did have an impressive bowl win. War Eagle!

Speaking of BCS.....is there anyone that actually likes that system? Every person I know wants a play-off. It's just the obvious answer and I'm not sure why they don't get that. I keep hearing that it will happen one day, but I've been hearing that for a looooong time. I hope I'm alive to see it. But for now, just like with Bama, I can't stand the BCS. So while I wasn't impressed with this year's game or the whole system for that matter, it did remind me of something......

BCS reminds me of Heaven. Say what? How is that now? It does....and I'll tell you why. Before I get to that.....Carter said something surprising to me a few days ago. Not sure how it came up, but we were just talking and he said, "Dad, my friend _________ told me that his dad said we won't know each other in Heaven." That surprised me, but I immediately replied with "Carter, I disagree with that." I told him that I absolutely believe that we will know each other in Heaven. He said he thought so too. After he went to bed that night, it got me thinking....how do I know that we'll know each other in Heaven. It's what I've been told....in fact, the night Griffin died, I asked my preacher that very question. I wanted to know if I'd know my son when I got there. He assured me I would and it gave me some peace. But I just took his word for it. I don't remember ever studying this before and seeing what God says about it. So what does He say? Will we know each other? I decided to look into it a little. A couple of stories come to mind....

1. In Matthew 8, a centurion comes to Jesus and asks Him to heal a man at his house. After Jesus did so, He talked to the people about Heaven. In ch. 8, verse 11, Jesus said....
¹¹ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
So in Heaven, we are going to feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Now while He didn't say we would talk to them, I can't believe we are just going to sit there and stare at each other. I imagine that we'll know who they are....that we'll get to ask them about their great stories. So if we know them.....

2. In three of the four gospels, we read about the Transfiguration of Jesus in which Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus. It doesn't say that Jesus introduced the two men to each other. It appears they most likely knew each other even though they lived at different times. So if they knew each other.....

3. When Abraham died in the Old Testament, it says he was "gathered to his people" (Gen. 25:8). This seems to indicate that he was among his family and ancestors in Heaven. So won't we be as well?

There are other passages we could look at but I also have to mention the obvious.....Heaven is going to be wonderful! We are told this many times. It will be more wonderful than we can ever imagine and so I have to believe that part of that "wonderful" will be reuniting with loved ones. I just believe that's something God will do for us as part of our reward. And I'll be honest with something else.....I believe some of these "bright light" stories are true. I mentioned in an earlier post that I read "Heaven is for Real" and I believe it. I believe that boy saw his sister and knew her. I think that book, among others is just another way that God shows us how great Heaven will be. Believe what you want, but the point is I believe it's true..... I have faith that we'll know each other AND will get to meet many others that we don't know. It will be an awesome gathering of family and friends. So what does the BCS have to do with it????

Those letters represent the three I am most looking forward to seeing and knowing.....

B - my Brother. I can't wait to see my brother who is my Savior, Christ, and Sacrifice. I want to see Jesus, talk to Him, know Him, and thank Him. I want to ask Him questions. I want to touch his hands like Thomas did. I want to sit for hours and let Him teach me like He did so many others in the gospels. I want to listen to Him, follow Him, and be in His presence. For all eternity.

C - my Creator. My Lord, my Father, my God. I want to also be in the presence of the Holy, Almighty Lord and Father of Mankind. I want to see Him. I want to sing praises to Him. I want to worship Him. I want to know Him. I want to humble myself completely before Him and thank Him with all I have for choosing me and giving me the 2 ultimate gifts.....His Son and my salvation. I want to bow face down to the ground before Him and worship Him. For all eternity.

S - my Son. It's no secret that I want to get to Heaven to see my son. My child, my love, my Griffin. I believe I will know him. I know I will know him.....and he will know me. And 3rd only to my Father and Brother, he's the reason I will strive for the rest of my life to get there. I absolutely cannot wait to get there. I am willing every second to go. I'm ready. I understand and believe that God has use for me here for now, but I wait in eager anticipation for the second He decides my time here is done. I want to see and hold my son again.

So that's what the "BCS" means to me. It reminds me of why I'm living. It reminds me of my purpose. I want to be the BCS champ.....and get to see my B, C, and S. One day I will.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

A Deer for the New Year

2011-12-31T22:53:00.003-06:00

One hour. That's all that's left until midnight. I'm sitting here in my comfy chair watching some guy about to jump a snowmobile over a lake. At least I think that's what going to happen. I'll let you know. The lengths some people will go to for attention!!??! Maybe I'm going the wrong direction. Maybe I should quit my teaching job and practice jumping my rusty bike over my Honda in the driveway. Not sure I'd get the same attention, but the neighbors would probably be entertained. Not sure if I'll stay up 'til midnight tonight or not. Normally, I probably would, but we're getting up early for church tomorrow and I need my beauty......well, I need sleep. So I may celebrate the new year a little early. Ok, he just jumped....with a motorcycle beside him or something. I'm not sure what just happened. I joined in late. I wasn't that impressed. Maybe I should be. Anyways......

We did end up going fishing a 2nd time yesterday, but I didn't catch squat.....again! Not even a trashy plastic bag. My youngest son caught a fish....all by himself. He was quite the happy camper. But we did have a great week with family down in Georgia. We're home now and it's always good to sit in your own chair and sleep in your own bed. It's nice to be able to ring in this new year at my own house.....even if I do ring it in through my dreams tonight.

So I thought I'd take just a minute here as 2011 is coming to a close and reflect on 2011. What a year! I mentioned in a post back in September that it has been the best and worst year of my life. And I stand by that. I will never forget 2011. There are parts I wish I could forget. I have to purposely stop remembering some things some times. It's just too hard. But the good news is that there are some things I never want to forget. Despite the fact that 2011 was the most difficult of my life, I got to experience some wonderful things as well.....the best and most important being my relationship with God growing in ways I could never imagine. I don't want to forget that or for it to stop for that matter. I want to continue to grow closer to Him. I want to continue to have those special times with Him. I want to continue to worship Him in ways I never have before. And I want to continue to soak up His Word and read it for what it is and what it means for me. I'm looking forward to this new year. I have a feeling that God is going to bring great things in 2012. I have a feeling that it will be a special year for me and my family and I pray the same for your family. I pray and plead with God that He will use me this year as He's never used me before. I want to be His instrument and His servant. One thing I know is that with this new year, I will be one year closer to Heaven and that brings me more excitement than I could ever ask for. I know God will continue to bless me and my family this year as He always does. He already blessed me today......He sent me a deer. Quick story....

When we got home from Georgia today, my wife suddenly realized that we missed the deadline. There was an ornament waiting for us that we were supposed to pick up by Dec. 30 and we had forgotten. This ornament was at the Woodbine Funeral home and it was made in honor and remembrance of Griffin. We had gotten a letter about a month ago saying that they would have an ornament for him on their Christmas tree and that we could come pick it up after the holiday. She quickly called the funeral home to see if it was indeed too late. They were so kind and told us that of course it wasn't too late. We could come pick it up anytime. So I headed there this afternoon after getting unpacked and resting a bit. Along the way, I put in a new CD full of spiritual songs that was given to me. I was dreading a little what I was doing simply because going back to the funeral home would bring back some memories. But the music put my mind at ease and God actually gave me great peace as I drove there. When I got there, the parking lot was empty. Guess they don't plan many funerals or visitations for New Year's Eve. I parked my car and got out. That's when I saw her.....a beautiful deer only a few feet from my car. The funeral home is not exactly in the woods. There are a small amount of woods around it but it's basically on a main road. But yet here was a deer very close to me, staring at me and not moving. It was just a beautiful sight and I think God was again trying to bring me peace and happiness through His creation. I watched the deer for a minute or two before heading inside. There was nobody in the lobby so I walked around the corner toward the rear of the building. As I rounded the corner and looked down the hall, I saw what was probably the most beautiful Christmas tree I had seen all season. It was a huge tree covered with white lights and angel ornaments. As I was staring at it, one of the workers there came out and asked me my name. He got Griffin's ornament off the tree and was very kind. When I went back outside, the deer was still there. She had moved a little and was heading toward the woods, but her eyes met mine one more time before she gently walked away. I couldn't help but remember Psalm 42:1 as I watched her for a couple minutes more....

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.

I got in my car and the music came on. It was a new song for me that I'm really enjoying called "Oh You Bring." These lyrics were playing over and over again.....

All honor
All glory
All praise to You

God had turned what could have been a sad, sorry for myself, "woe is me" moment into a beautiful reminder and praise to Him. God gave me a wonderful end to 2011 and reminded me that all is not lost. He reminded me that He is in control. And He reminded me how much I am longing for Him. He deserves and receives all honor, all glory and all praise. My soul, filled with His Spirit, longs to be with Him for all eternity and I'm filled with such joy and happiness just thinking about it. So I thank God for the deer, for the song, for the angel ornament, and for the reminder about who I am, whose I am, where I'll be one day. God is SO GOOD! Praise His name! May your 2012 be filled with the blessings of our Father and may you allow Him to use you to your full capacity. Make every effort to give every day of this year to Him. He deserves our constant praise and devotion and love. God bless you all!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

More Fish and No Trash

2011-12-29T21:11:00.004-06:00

I appreciate the positive response I had to my last post. I was a little worried about the subject as it can be a touchy one. But I've had so many positive comments both public and private. Most have agreed with me....actually all have. The encouragement I have received has meant a lot and I thank those of you who said something. It was a great Christmas and I pray you all had as wonderful of a holiday as I did. I'm now really enjoying this week and relaxing until school starts next week. Arrrrgggh. :)

Two more days! That's all that's left here in 2011. Hard to believe. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the new year and now we're about to do it again. We've spent the week with my in-laws and we're having a great time. Today, my father-in-law took all of us fishing at a local pond. The boys had a great time despite the fact they didn't catch a thing. We may try again tomorrow. Susan struck out also. My father-in-law caught two....even though he was casting in exactly the same spot we all were. How does that work? I think he had some secret live bait or something. Myself......well I hadn't caught a thing either. I had felt a nibble and thought I had something but wasn't having much luck. I thought it was going to be zero for me too, but then I felt it. I cast out as far as I could and had this feeling that something was going to bite this time. I was going to pull in a huge bass or a catfish or a shark....I just knew it. I started slowly reeling in the line in great anticipation of what was about to happen. Then I gradually started reeling a little faster. That's when I felt it. I got something.....and it was heavy. It was pulling hard on my line. I could barely pull it in. 'Wow', I thought. 'I got the big one of the day. Everyone is going to be amazed at what I'm about to pull in. There going to take pictures and clap and send the pictures in to the newspaper. I'll be the town hero. ' At least that's what quickly went through my head. I'm not too old to dream, right? "I got something!", I said. My family paused to look. I finally got it right under my pole and used my strength to pull it up out of the water. It was huge. It was heavy. It was a bag. A dirty..... yucky..... dripping..... disgusting....stinkin'.......old plastic bag. It was trash. It wasn't a fish! It wasn't alive. It was dead....just like my dreams. There would be no pictures. No glory. No cheering. There would only be a quick laugh and everyone went back to fishing. So that's it. That's all I caught today. A bag. The only glory I got was from making the pond a little bit cleaner. I wanted a fish, but I got trash. Kindof like life. Huh? You knew a spiritual point was coming, right? So here it is.....

It's resolution time. New year. Resolutions. They go together. I usually make them. So why should this year be any different. But I just have one this year. I want to catch what I set out to catch...and I don't want to settle for trash. Jesus approached fishermen first. He told them to stop catching fish and to start catching men. What an honor! For the rest of their lives, they got to bring others to Christ. That was their job, their mission, their life's purpose. And I want it to be mine. I want to catch others too. In the past, I've said I would do it and I've wanted to do it, but I haven't really put my mind to it. I've done ok, but many times I've made excuses. I've said that praying was enough. (Don't get me wrong, prayer is great, but it often takes more than prayer. It takes words, actions, effort.) I've often given in to fear and discomfort. I've depended on others to spread God's Word and haven't put 100% effort in to it like I should. Like I'm expected to. Like I want to. I've set out to catch "fish", but all I've caught was "trash." From now on, I want to catch what I set out to catch. My resolution is to go out and catch others and I'm praying God will give me the strength, courage, and opportunities to do that. So no more being satisfied with dirty plastic bags. I want fish. I want a lot of fish. I'm planning on going to Heaven and I want to bring as many with me as I can. What about you? How many fish can you catch in this new year?

Let's cast our nets on the other side this time and get a full load. I pray God makes 2012 the best year ever....a year I can look back on and be proud of what I've caught.....a fish, several fish, many fish.....and no yucky bags.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Christmas Part 2

2011-12-25T12:29:00.004-06:00

Well, did I ever predict it incorrectly!!! The boys went to bed last night around 8:30 or so. I had said they'd be up by 4 or 5. Wrong! We had to wake them up at 6:10. They were BOTH snoozin' away. They slept fine. It was ME that couldn't sleep. Not sure why...but I slept absolute zero last night. And yet I'm still awake here at noonish on Christmas day. I must be runnin' on adrenaline or something. Anyways, Susan woke up Max and I woke up Carter. Carter's first words when he woke up...."Dad, is my arm bleeding?"....."Ummmm, what?" Wasn't quite the Christmas excitement I was expecting. Apparently he was dreaming. Once I fully woke him up and assured him his arm was blood-free, he was excited, as was Max. We did Santa and parent presents in about 27 minutes and headed for Waffle House. Got there around 6:45am to a sparse crowd. Very friendly workers and lots of "Merry Christmas!" shouts all over the place. We had a great breakfast and got home in time to get ready (quickly) for early service at church. It was a good morning and another great Christmas with the family....both immediate and Christian family. God is good! As is His Son, our Savior!

I mentioned our Savior, Jesus in the last post and said I wanted to mention something about Him. Here's the deal. I'm just going to be honest here and state my thoughts. Feel free to disagree. Some may and I repeat that I'm not perfect. I'm trying but will never get there. But let me share for a minute or two.... When I grew up, Christmas was never a spiritual holiday. Christmas was about family and joy and presents and Santa Claus and it's still about that stuff to an extent. But as I'm growing older, I'm realizing that all of that is not the main focus at all. Family is still in there pretty dominant, but there's something else. I'm starting to see it as more of a spiritual holiday. That definitely goes against what I was taught in my family and in my church, even today, but I'm questioning it. And I'm changing my opinion of it. Just mine. Not trying to change anyone else's. I was taught that we don't know Jesus's birthdate. And that's true. I was taught that the Bible doesn't give any authority to celebrate his birthday. And that's true. I understand those things and I agree. We don't know the day and God doesn't tell us to celebrate his birthday, but does that mean we can't? Besides God my Father, Jesus Christ is the most important thing to me. He is the reason I live. He is the reason I didn't give up several months ago when the world came crashing down around me. He is the reason that despite my many many faults, I still know I'm going to Heaven one day. He gave His life for me. For me! He hadn't even met me. I was waaaay in the future, but He knew me and died for me. He is, was and will be the greatest man that ever walked the Earth and right now, I believe He is waiting for me up in Heaven holding my son on His lap. So considering all that, can I not try to repay Him in a small, tiny proportion and celebrate his birth? Can I not just pick a day and celebrate the beginning of the greatest man ever? How about December 25? How about April 25 or July 25? I don't care. I just want to make every effort to honor and celebrate this incredible man who loves me more than I could ever imagine. Some will say that if we pick a day and celebrate, then we won't celebrate the birth all year long. We'll forget about it the other 364 days of the year. I don't think so. I could never forget. But here's the part that really bugs me.....not only was I taught to not celebrate the birth on Dec. 25, I was also told as a Bible class teacher not to even mention it during the month of December. I have a problem with that. I can't even talk about it!?!? I'm sorry, but I can't believe God's happy with being told not to mention a very important part of His son's life.....at any time of the year. I know there were many churches across the country today that were celebrating Christ's birth during their worship this morning. Do you honestly believe God was looking down and shaking his head in disgust? Do you honestly think he was ashamed and thinking 'I wish they wouldn't celebrate the birth and life of my Son."??? I just don't see Him doing that. I think He would much rather we celebrate than avoid it. The bottom line is....since I lost my son, I've grown closer to God and I am trying my hardest and doing everything in my power to acknowledge Him. I'm trying to be a shining light to the world. I'm trying to make every second of my life about Him or at least as much as I possibly can. That's what I believe He expects of me until His return or my eternity begins. So why in the world would I avoid a very prominent part of God's Word....at any time...during December or July or January or whatever?? I wouldn't and I won't. I'm proud to say that my family read Luke 2 last night before bed. We talked about Christ's birth. I told my boys that we don't know when His birthday is but there is nothing wrong with celebrating it. I'm sure we'll read that same story several times during this new year. And one of those times will be next Christmas. Personally, I'm glad the world celebrates. I'm with them. Is that so bad? Personally, I see more good than bad. A lot. Just my thoughts. Don't have to be yours. Regardless.....Merry Christmas to you all. And may the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ be celebrated all year long. He is the reason for the season.....every season....even Christmas.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Christmas Part 1

2011-12-24T22:35:00.001-06:00

One hour and 25 minutes until Christmas. The boys are nestled and snug in their beds. They should be up in about 5 hours, give or take. If tradition holds true again this year, our boys will wake up again around 3 or 4AM. They get too excited to sleep. They have explicit instructions to stay quiet until 5AM. And I guarantee that at 5:00:01 (by Max's new Chick-Fil-A watch) they will come running into our room. That means our Christmas will be over by around 6AM and we'll be ready to go to Waffle House for breakfast....one of our Christmas traditions that I love. We'll be home by 7AM and ready to get dressed for early service at church. Needless to say, I may need a nap tomorrow. But I don't mind the busy, early morning. I'm glad my boys look forward to Christmas and enjoy it so much. It reminds me of just a few years ago when I was the same way. I would wake up at 2 or 3 am and just wait. As I got older I would try and sneak a peek in the living room to see what the big guy had left me. I'm proud of my boys. They deserve a happy Christmas...especially after what they did today. I have to share and brag on them just a bit....

Susan and I decided to take the boys to Opryland hotel today to look at the Christmas decorations there. We really enjoy going there from time to time to just walk around. It's a blessing to have such a place here in Nashville. When we told the boys about it this morning, they were very excited. They asked if we could ride the boats. They have a boat ride in the Delta area of the hotel and the boys always enjoy riding it. We've done it several times. We told the boys that we probably weren't going to ride it this time as it's a little pricey and we had just planned to walk around and look at decorations. That's when they decided to give us a gift. They asked if they could pay for the ride. Max said he would pay for he and Susan and Carter said he would pay for himself and me. They have their own money that they get from their grandparents and they wanted to use it on us...all of us...to enjoy the ride together. Susan and I were very impressed with their unselfish idea and told them they could do it if they really wanted to. When I told Carter to go get his money, he came back from his room with an extra $5. He asked if we could look for a homeless person on the way to give the money to. I told him that was nice but $5 was a little much. I told him he could just get $1 instead. He said he'd rather give $5. He said, "It's my money dad and that's what I'd like to give." Who was I to argue? My shallow mind thought $1 was enough but he taught me a lesson. Wasn't it Christ that told us to give all we have....He praised the old woman for doing so. Shouldn't we be willing to do the same? We had a great time at the hotel and really enjoyed the boat ride. On the way home, as we were getting off the interstate, sure enough there was a young girl there with her dog. Her sign read "trying to get home for the holidays....anything will help." Carter opened his door and gave her the $5. She appeared to have tears in her eyes as she said "Merry Christmas." The old me would wonder what she was going to do with that money but I'm trying very hard not to care anymore. It's not what she does with it, it's what my son did that counts. He served. He gave to someone in need. What a lesson he taught me. So again.... I had to brag a little....sorry about that. But I'm a proud father....proud of my boys for demonstrating Christ today.

Speaking of Christ.....tomorrow is Christmas and I want to say something about that. But I'll wait until tomorrow...which is now in 48 minutes. Guess I better try to get a little sleep tonight....very little I'm sure. I'll post part 2 some time tomorrow. Until then.....Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Books for Bonus

2011-12-14T09:53:00.006-06:00

Well, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. I have 2 more days of school. 2 MORE! Yahoo. I am really looking forward to the break. Can't wait for another Christmas with the family. The parties have already started and have attended several holiday get-togethers and meals already and there are many more to come. I'm also excited about getting to see my wife's family which we don't get to see very often....once or twice a year at the most.

I bought a sock. Actually my wife bought me a sock. One sock. Not for Christmas. That would be a little strange. She found a sock online that is supposed to help this Plantar Fasciitis I have. It looks like the picture there. I wear it every night and it supposedly keeps my toes pointed up which will help my heel to heal. I've worn it five nights now and it's ok. I sleep ok in it but my toes are always asleep and numb when I wake up. Not sure if that is good or not. I can't tell a difference....yet. It says I should wear it 3-6 weeks. So I'm hoping with time that this will do the trick. It does force my toes up so when I get up in the morning, I'm forced to walk out of bed on my heel which hurts. But I can't take it off in bed because it's vel-cro and I don't want to wake Susan up. So I still hobble. Maybe I should get a roller skate and roll out of the bed room in the mornings. That might be fun.

So my wife is great. Have I said that lately? Well, she is. And no, I'm not trying to be extra nice here around the holidays....I'm being serious. She never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Last week she came running in my classroom while I was teaching. It surprised me a little. She doesn't normally do that. But she came in and headed straight in my office to my computer. I thought it was a little odd but I just kept on teaching. When I finished that class, I went into my office to see what she was doing. She was typing me out some information on the computer. She told me how there had been an article in the newspaper that morning where someone had stolen a trailer. Inside the trailer had been over 2000 books to be donated to the poor. It touched her heart and inspired her. She wanted to help and try and replace some of the missing books. She asked what I thought about asking my students for any used books they might have. I told her I would and that I thought it would be a great idea. So I sent out an email. It went to all my 6th graders and their parents. As an incentive and to spark some interest, I offered a set amount of bonus points on the kids' upcoming Social Studies exams if they brought in books. I even put "bonus points possible" in the subject line of the email. I figured this might get them to actually read it. They did. The response has been amazing. But I got an unexpected response as well.....

Most responses were very positive. Many parents told me what a great cause this was or how bad they felt that someone would steal books from poor kids. Many parents told me they were grateful for the bonus points or what a good idea it was. But I got one negative one. Just one. One parent emailed me and in a nice way told me that he disagreed with giving bonus points for service. He made several points but his main one was that we should give and serve because it's what were told to do, not just for a reward. Now, he made some good points and I did stop and think about it for a while. And I appreciated that he approached it in a kind way, not mean in any way. But after thought and prayer, I have to say that I disagree for a couple of reasons....

1. I have gotten close to (if not over) 1000 books from my students. I would have NEVER gotten that many if I had just simply sent an email with no incentive. To me, that's reason enough. If giving a few bonus points means getting a lot more books for those in need, so be it. I really don't care about giving away a few points.

2. While I agree that we should serve because it's right and not to get a reward, I don't think there's anything wrong with getting a reward. We have to learn and teach that rewards shouldn't be our main motivation and cause, but if one happens to come, then we should enjoy it and consider it a blessing from God Himself.

I looked it up......There are more than 100 verses in the Bible that talk about rewards. Galatians 6:9-10 says..

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

God even tells us that if we do good, we will reap a reward. Does doing good deeds alone save us? No! I don't think so. Our faith, obedience, love, lives, AND deeds save us, but deeds is part of the equation I believe. And I'll be honest....the reason I try to live my life for God everyday is because I want something. I'm motivated by a reward. I do good and try not to sin so I can get Heaven one day. Do you? My guess would be that most Christians are motivated by that reward whether we should be or not. I love this picture. Can you see both words?

Every year, the church youth group that I work part-time for goes on a "reward trip." It's a trip to an amusement park for those who have helped with 7 or more service projects. I think it's a great idea. It gets the kids involved in service. Are they doing it just to get the trip? Maybe some are at first, but I think most see the good and right of serving and don't just do it for a reward. But even if they do, think of all the good that gets done. That's the point. That's the bottom line. The learning to serve because it's right will come with time. So I will continue this week to give bonus for books and I'll leave you with one of my favorite verses talking about a reward or gift God will give us all.....

Romans 6:23 reads.....²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

The NFL - Never Forget Love

2011-12-02T10:46:00.000-06:00

I'm not running anymore. Just thought I'd throw that out there because (1) this started as a running blog and (2) people keep asking me how running is going or when my next race is. I haven't run in probably close to 2 months. I just can't shake this foot (heel) pain. I haven't given up completely. I'm hoping the pain will go away one day. But I've resolved to the fact that my running days may be far away or possibly even over. I do miss it. Every once in a while I get a strong urge to run a race. Call me crazy, but I remember what it felt like to get up at 4AM and run 20 miles and I actually miss it. I honestly hope I can do it again but we'll see. Right now, I'm in the habit of getting up early and going to workout. I do 30 min. of elliptical and then 30 min. of lifting. I love it but I still miss the running and the races.

Christmas decorations are up. I actually got the lights on the house about a week ago but everyday something has gone out or not worked right. I think yesterday I finally fixed all the problems. I even had a friend donate one more huge inflatable and it's perfect. Our lawn is the gaudiest it's ever been and I love it. Went to an awesome concert at Lipscomb Univ. the other night to start off the Christmas season. Amy Grant hosted and it included an amazing group of singers, including my son in the 4th grade chorus. I actually thought he was the best one but I guess the others were pretty good too. :) They sang a lot of my favorite songs and it was a lot of fun....especially for a free concert!

So I love the NFL. I like sports in general but I love watching football more than anything. Every Sunday we gather around the TV and watch the Titans game.....just the four of us. I love that time. I enjoy keeping up with the other teams too and watching the playoff race. I also enjoy watching the stats for my fantasy football team. Yes I have one....make that two.....make that four in the family. Carter and Max each have one. I used to think fantasy football was silly. People asked me why I didn't play and I said I didn't care about it. The truth was that I really didn't know what it was so I assumed it was something silly. I was wrong. It's a lot of fun, especially if you're in a league with people you know. However, I have to admit that last year, my first year, I got a little too addicted. How my team did would actually affect my mood. If I lost, it would get me down and I'd dwell on it. I finally had to tell myself to get a grip. It's fantasy!! This year I decided I wouldn't let it affect me. And I've done much better. Sure, I like winning and I try to, but if I don't, it's no big deal. I'm not going to worry about it. I'm trying to instill the same in my sons. It's not easy. They're both very into it. I'm glad they have a passion for something and it's fun to watch them and work on it with them, but I don't want it to become their main focus. But the point was....I love the NFL. I love college ball too, but there's just something about professional football. There are lessons there. I was truly inspired by one this week.

You may have already seen it. The article right there? To you left? Read it if you haven't. In college, Tim Tebow was at the rival school. I've never liked Florida. I'm an Auburn fan. So we don't like Florida. But I couldn't help but admire Tebow. Even in college his spiritually shined. The verses on his eye black.....his post game comments.......it was obvious where his faith was. Then he came and spoke here at Lipscomb. I wish I could've heard him but I didn't get to go. Heard it was great. When he moved to the NFL, I was curious to see how he would do. To be honest, I'm not a huge Broncos fan, but I'm really glad they are doing well since he started 5 games ago. He deserves it. So I already admired him, but after seeing this article......Wow! That's a hero in my book. I'm actually jealous. I wish I had been able to say that to the media. I wish those were my words published nationally. That is exactly how I feel. I don't always show it or live it, but I feel it. And isn't he exactly right. I know what NFL stands for, but maybe in this case it stands for Never Forget Love....as in God's love or Christ's love. Or don't forget to show others that you love Christ like Tebow said. We should all take every opportunity we have to proclaim that we love God for all He's done. We should look for each chance we get to tell of Christ's amazing love and his ultimate sacrifice for us all. I love his analogy to loving your wife as well. Sometimes our love becomes stale and although the love is there, we don't always say it or show it. It shouldn't be that way, especially with God. I'm going to try my best to proclaim my love for God and not be ashamed of it. Like Tebow, I'm going to take advantage of any opportunity I get to give God the honor and glory he deserves. And I won't apologize for it, even if it's criticized. I think that's what expected of me. I know it's what He deserves.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 8 (God)

2011-11-24T21:03:00.003-06:00

Well Happy Thanksgiving to all. Hope your day was as good as mine. We had a great linner at my sister's house. That's lunch/dinner. It was about 1:30 when we ate which is a little late for lunch but too early to call it dinner. The food was amazing. There was so much. It was the only meal I ate today but it was perfect. Props to my sister (Abigail) for hosting one great Thanksgiving meal. It was good to spend time with the family. So being that it's Thanksgiving and almost the end of the day, it's time for my final Thankful Week post. My sisters today were trying to guess who/what it would be. My older and very humble sister Allison assumed it would be her. Apparently the "family post" last Saturday wasn't quite enough. Allison wanted me to mention her by name and talk about all her redeeming qualities.....both of them. I actually thought about mentioning each family member in that post and talking about them, but I was afraid someone would be offended because I left them out so I just talked about family in general. But apparently that wasn't enough for Allison. I mean I was going to talk about God in this post but I guess Allison thinks she's more important. It IS a tough choice, but I think I'm going to have to go with God.....sorry Allison. Although I will give her a due shout out.
ALLISON!
There. Done. But today, I am thanking God for....well, for God.

There have been times in my life where I've questioned God for various reasons. I don't always understand why things happen the way they do. But I've learned that I'm never going to understand everything. That's why we have Prov. 3:5-6 which happens to be one of my favorite verses. I remember one of the things I used to question is why Jesus had to die. If God can do anything, why couldn't he just forgive our sins without His son suffering on that cross? And why do WE have to suffer so much? Why can't life just be great and happy and fun all the time? But I try not to question those kind of things anymore. God's plan is perfect. He knows what He's doing. There's a reason for everything and one day we'll all understand. But for now, I am so humbled, honored and blessed to be a part of His plan. I'm one of His chosen children. I'm getting to experience life. I'm getting to witness His creation and His power each day. I was born into a Christian family in a country where I have the freedom to praise Him whenever I want. I work at a Christian institution where I get to worship Him daily. I have been given His Spirit and He works through me every day. I am on my way to Heaven and will one day get to meet Him and His Son. I am filled with so much hope and excitement over what is to come in my life here on Earth and especially in my eternal life in Heaven. It's a perfect plan and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. So today, on Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and my spiritual life. I'm thankful for my relationship with God. Even though I'm one of many, I know that He knows me. We have a close bond and we talk daily. He's watching out for me, protecting me, guiding me, caring for me, loving me and He wants me to be up there with Him even more than I do. When I think about it all, I just feel happy and blessed, and it makes me smile. I hope you also took (or take) some time today to reflect on how blessed you are....not just because of what you have here on Earth, but especially for what you have spiritually. And also for what you have waiting for you in Heaven, if you choose to go there as well. I hope you do. I am, and the thought of it blows me away. I can't even fathom how wonderful it's going to be. Thank you God for that hope, that excitement, that promise, and most of all for Your grace which makes it all possible. GOD...IS....GOOD!

Happy Thanksgiving.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 7 (Griffin)

2011-11-23T17:36:00.004-06:00

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is tomorrow. This week has gone fast but it's been a blast. Rhyme. We've run some errands and been out of the house a little, but it's mostly been relaxing at home and doing things with the family. There's nothing I'd rather do. So today is day 7 of thankful week and today belongs to my 3rd and youngest son, Griffin. As you all know, he's not here with us. He's already made his trip to Heaven so you may wonder why I'd be thankful. Shouldn't I be upset or sad or disappointed or angry or NOT thankful? I guess I could be and I've gone through all those as I've pointed out on here. But I don't want to keep dwelling on the negative. I choose to look at the positive and so I can definitely see many reasons to be thankful for Griffin. Today I am thanking my Father above for giving me my son, Griffin Wallace Thweatt.

I have 3 children. I have 3 sons. 3 boys. Carter, Max and Griffin. How can I not be grateful for all of them? Of course I wish I had gotten to spend more time with Griffin. Of course I wish this was his first Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up. Of course these holidays are going to be tough in some ways. But this is Thanksgiving week and like I said above, I can think of several things to be thankful for when it comes to Griffin:

I'm thankful he was created in the first place. It's no secret that I wanted three kids. And now I have 3. Hearing the surprising news he was on the way....telling everyone....planning for him....registering.....setting up his room....having baby showers....it was all so much fun and made for some very happy times.

I'm thankful that he brought our family closer together both before and after his death.

I'm thankful that I got to hold him for several hours. Those hours, while sad in ways of course were also very precious to me and I'll never forget them.

I'm thankful that without a doubt, I have a son waiting for me when I get to Heaven. I was already excited about Heaven and now I'm much, much more excited. I absolutely can not wait.

I'm thankful that Griffin has brought me so much closer to God. Although I would have preferred Griffin to live, his death has totally changed me spiritually for the better. And it's hard to accept and even say, but I think God knew I needed that and maybe it took something so drastic to change me.

That one is the most important. There is no denying that I am closer to God right now because of Griffin Thweatt. So I am very thankful on this day for him and for Him.

I miss Griffin a lot. I want to see his little face and feet again. I want to put my finger in his hand and have him squeeze it. I want to smell him again. He had that awesome new baby smell. But if I can't have him here during this life, I'll accept God's will and wait patiently for the time when we'll see each other again. And in the meantime, I'll praise God and be eternally grateful for the many gifts that Griffin did bring to me.

Just like my wonderful son Carter and my precious son Max, I love Griffin Thweatt so much. My heart overflows with love for all 3 of my boys. How could I possibly ask God for anything better? God is good!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 6 (Max)

2011-11-22T14:04:00.002-06:00

Trying to put up my Christmas Lights outside. God keeps sending rain which is great, but I'm not sure it'd be best to put up the lights during the rain....you know....slipping off the roof, catching pneumonia, electrocution.....those are all bad things, so I'm waiting until it clears a little. But let it be known that Clark Griswold is coming back this year. I took last year off to several complaints. It was very nice to not have to fool with it all, but I did miss it too. So this year it's all coming back. Susan's thrilled. :) Well, you probably guessed it, but Thankful Week post #6 goes to Mr. Max Thweatt....my 2nd born. For so many reasons, today I am thanking God for the incredible gift of Max.

I found out about Max over the phone. Susan called me at school and told me. We had been wanting to hear that news for about 4-5 months. I was so excited. We were so glad that Carter would have a sibling close in age. And once again God knew what Carter needed....a brother. They are a perfect pair. Max is strong in every quality that Carter isn't (and vice-versa). They compliment each other so well. They are very different but they use their strengths to encourage and help each other. Sure, they argue every once in a while, but for the most part, they play great together and laugh so much. And they make us laugh.....all the time. Max especially has an incredible sense of humor. I would have never dreamed he would make me laugh as much as he has in his 7 years. He also has a pretty strong athletic quality (that he obviously gets from his mother :) Just like Carter, God has blessed Max with so many talents and he uses them beautifully. There is no doubt that my life is so much more joyful with Max Thweatt in it. I can't imagine how life would be without him. God must have worked overtime creating that boy because he is simply wonderful and such a blessing. Just as much as Carter, I love Max so much and I am honored and humbled to be given such a gift and to be entrusted with the role of his father. God is good!!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 5 (Carter)

2011-11-21T15:01:00.002-06:00

Today is Thankful Week day #5 and it goes to my first born. And is this irony or what??? Today is his 10th birthday. I really didn't plan it that way. I mean I made a list of my 8 greatest blessings and just happened to put Carter on Monday....today. I then realized that it was his birthday on the same day. I can't believe he is 10 years old. These 10 years have flown by....very, very fast. However, they have by far been the best 10 years of my life....and I guess his best 10 as well. :) Today I am thanking God for the wonderful gift of my son, Carter.

I was so excited to hear that Carter was on the way. It was just a year after we married and we had just decided to start planning a family. But I was ready. He was born on 11/21/01, just a couple of months after 9/11 and the day before Thanksgiving that year. He took 22 hours of labor. He wasn't quite ready to come out. That was a tough night. A very tough night. Even the doctor was puzzled as to why he wasn't coming out. I'll never forget the doctor saying that if he didn't come soon, he might have to perform a caesarean because it was taking too long. I know it was nothing compared to my wife, but I was exhausted. It was 3:00 in the morning and I was so worried about Carter. I went into the hospital room bathroom, fell down on my knees, and prayed harder than I ever have. I begged God to make my boy ok and for him to come out soon. A little over two hours later, he finally came and he was perfect. He has been ever since. I cried tears of joy that day....the first time I ever had. These last 10 years, Carter has brought our family so much happiness and joy. I've been told that he looks like me. I know he acts just like I did when I was little. He's my little mini-me. He works so hard and has so many wonderful talents. I love that boy so much and I can't imagine the world without him. So today...on his 10th birthday, I am so grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful son in Carter Evan Thweatt. God is good!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 4 (My Girl)

2011-11-20T20:50:00.002-06:00

Thankful week post #4 goes to the woman of my dreams (and sometimes nightmares). he he he. Ok, that's the only funny I'll put in here because I say in all seriousness that marrying Susan Thweatt has been one of the biggest blessings God has given me in my life. Today, I'm thanking God from the bottom of my heart for my wife, Susan.

I'll never forget when she came in that classroom. It was my 1st or 2nd day of student teaching. My final semester of college, but my first day in my eventual full-time classroom. Needless to say, I was a little nervous. These were 7th graders. Some were bigger than I was, well at least scarier than I was. I knew nobody. Then she came in. She smiled and didn't hesitate to sit down right next to me, introduce herself, and make me feel welcome at that school. Over the next few weeks, we would get to know each other better. She provided a much better place to eat my lunch than that scary teachers' lounge. She became a friend.... a friend I was spending more and more time with. And I slowly began realizing that this was the one. She had all the makings of the perfect wife. And she's been my best friend ever since. I had prayed for years that God would send me a wife, a Godly wife, someone I could share my life with and someone that could help me in my spiritual walk. Boy, did He come through! After being married to her for more than 11 years now, I can safely say this.....Susan is a good person. She's loving, caring, kind, funny, generous, hard-working, etc, etc, etc.... I could go on for a while. But those are not the most important things. And even if she had none of those qualities, she would still be perfect because of the one quality she has that stands out.....she is a genuine servant of God. She is a model example of how we are supposed to live. She has the mind and heart of Christ every day and she doesn't even have to work at it. It's just how she is. Basically, Susan helps me to be a much better Christian than I'd be without her. When I go to Heaven, it's going to be in large part because of her guidance and example, and that makes her an incredibly wonderful gift straight from God. God knew that I needed her. God answered my prayers in a big way. God knew I would never get there without her. I realize that Jesus ultimately saved my soul, but I consider Susan a soul saver as well. And not only is she an outstanding wife, she is an amazing mother to our two sons. They will also be prepared and well equipped to be servants of God and fight temptation as they grow up and it's because of her example to them. She is so good at guiding them toward God and giving them a mind of Christ. And while our third son, Griffin got a free pass to Heaven which is awesome, I have no doubt that she would have led him straight there as well. He was a winner either way. I'm not sure why Susan continues to put up with me. I have a lot of faults and I know I'm a challenge to her, but I thank God she does. I need her. I can't do life without her. I love her. With all my heart.

God is good.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 3 (Family)

2011-11-19T21:23:00.002-06:00

We put up Christmas today......Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, Snow Village. It's all up. The only thing I lack is the outside lights. That'll be quite the chore and I'll tackle that one at some point this week. Right now, I'm relaxing on the couch, watching some football. My legs are tired after working on decorations all day. I almost forgot about this post but thought I'd get it in quickly before I went to bed. It's going to be a short one....sorry about that.

It's day 3 of Thankful week. Today I'm thanking God for family. Not my immediate family....obviously that's coming later, but extended family. I've been blessed with a great family both here at home in Nashville and my wife's family down in Athens, GA. Being with either family always bring laughter and smiles and I look forward to any time I can be with them. This year, we'll be spending Thanksgiving here. We're eating at my sister's house on Thursday and I'm looking forward to it. We'll be going to Athens for Christmas (actually the day after) and I'm already excited about that trip. I could mention each of my family members by name and talk about so many wonderful things that each has done for me. It's easy for me to think of many things that have been done for us or encouraging words that have been given to us. Family is definitely one of God's biggest blessings and He has certainly blessed me heavily in that area. I love my family and pray for them often. And I know they do the same for me. God is good!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 2 (Friends)

2011-11-17T09:25:00.006-06:00

Day 2 of Thankful week which happens to also be the last day of school before Thanksgiving Break. I could definitely be thankful for that. I need a break. I love that we get a week now. Can't wait for next week. Going to start Christmas decorating this weekend. The boys have been asking for a couple of weeks now. But don't worry...not forgetting about Thanksgiving. Still want to focus on it all this week and give thanks to God above for so many blessings. Today I'm very grateful to God for so many wonderful friends.

If I can't hang out or spend time with my family, there's nothing I enjoy more than spending time with friends. I don't really have one best friend anymore. I guess I have a select few that I consider my closest friends, but I also have a huge number of people that I could just call "friends". From church friends to Lipscomb friends to former classmates and many others....it's just such a blessing to have so many people to talk to, laugh with, lean on, encourage, get encouragement from, and love. We've leaned on friends a lot during this last year and they've made it much easier to deal with our struggles and tough days. We've been overwhelmed with the generosity of so many friends in our lives. My cell phone is full of numbers....my Facebook friend list is packed....there are so many people I know I could always call on and I'm trying hard to be that support right back to them. Friends are such a gift from God and I'm blessed to have so many and to have had so many over the years of my life. God is good. John 15:13

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Thankful Week - Day 1 (Lipscomb)

2011-11-17T08:33:00.003-06:00

Ok, I'm stealing an idea from a few blogs I've been reading out there. Some are doing thankful months, thankful weeks, thankful days, whatever....but since today is one week from Thanksgiving, I thought I would share the 8 things I'm most thankful for...one each day until Thanksgiving next Thursday. These are in no particular order but they are the 8 things I'm most grateful to God for. The first thing I'm very thankful for in my life is Lipscomb.

I think I barely remember at age 5 when I finished Kindergarten at Otter Creek Pre-School and my parents said, "Albert, next year, you'll go to a new school called 'David Lipscomb'. It's a great school and you'll love it. By the way, we love you more than your two sisters." Ok, so maybe it wasn't exactly stated like that, but they did tell me I was going to the "big school" where my older sister went. I started out there in Pre-First in the fall of 1981 and I've never left the place. I've spent 30 years of my life at David Lipscomb. From grade school to college to grad school to my career. I graduated college in December of 1998 and was hired in the summer of 1999 to teach Middle School. I tell people all the time that Lipscomb is my 2nd home and it's really true. I'm very comfortable here. I feel like I know most of the ins and outs of this place. I know a lot of Lipscomb's history. I know a lot of people here. Many of my good friends have come because of this school. This school brought me my wife. This school played a role in shaping my spiritual life and it continues to do so today. Is Lipscomb perfect? No, but no place is and I would argue that it's about as close as you can get. Sometimes people like to argue and complain about what's wrong with this school and they often forget how much is right about this school. I try to focus on that as much as I can. I feel that God wants me to be here. He has given me this place as a blessing and a place where my faith can shine through. He has also given it to me as a mission and a place where I can evangelize to His children. Basically, I love it here and there's really no place I'd rather be as far as my career goes. So today I'm thanking God for Lipscomb... the school, the institution, the mission, the family, the blessed home away from home. God is good.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Remember the Sabbath?

2011-11-09T09:54:00.004-06:00

Cross Country is officially over. My emotions are mixed. I love coaching. I love this team. I enjoy being with them. Someone asked me recently if I enjoyed teaching or coaching more and it didn't take me long to reply "coaching." Not that I don't enjoy teaching, but there's just something special about leading a team in a sport. So I will miss it. It was a great season and I had a blast, but on the other hand, the time will be nice. Not coaching frees up a lot of time that I can give back to my family which I am really looking forward to. So while I'll miss it and I'm sad to see the season end, it is a bit of a relief and it's nice to have another season completed. Now it's on to basketball season....not with the high school, but with my own sons. Looking forward to helping coach there and working with the boys more. We had our state Cross Country meet last weekend. My girl runner won the whole thing for the 2nd year in a row. She's amazing. Had another girl do really well individually. My boys team placed 7th out of 24 teams which isn't too bad. They gave it their all so I can't complain too much. Most of them will be on the team next year so I'm already looking forward to that.

So there's a box in my classroom. It's small. Wooden. It has a slot on top and a lock on the side. It has a sign on the front that says "Questions/Thoughts/Comments for Bible Discussion." I encourage my students to insert anything in the box....a question, a concern, a confusion, a verse, an encouragement.....anything that might spark some discussion in our class. I love it. We study the Bible and certain books in it, but I love taking a day off every once in a while to have discussion. I've had some great ones over the years. The other day, I opened the box because I could tell something new had been put in there. It simply said, "Why are we supposed to follow all the 10 Commandments today except one? Why don't we have to remember the Sabbath like they did in Old Testament times?" Good question. I liked it and we talked about it. I did explain to them that some things have changed since that commandment was given....such as which day "Sabbath" is referring to and how Jesus came along later and did work on the Sabbath, healing people and doing good work. I explained how that commandment might not mean the same to us as it did back then. But of course there's a "but"....

BUT......the students brought up some good points in our discussion. While we aren't required anymore to not work on the Sabbath, do we really give that day or any days to God? I think most would agree that our "Sabbath" is now Sunday. It's our worship day. It's when we are commanded to worship and praise our Father. And a lot of people do and that's great, but do we really give that day to God? Consider these questions:

Do you ever dread getting up early on Sundays to go to church?
Do you make excuses for being late to church or not going on Sunday evening or not going to Bible class?
Do you think about where you are going to lunch during church?
Do you try to hurry out the door to be first at the restaurant for lunch on Sundays?
Do you get annoyed when your Sunday afternoon is interrupted by something extra at church?
Do you get annoyed when the sermon runs long and church doesn't end right on the hour or before?
Do you find excuses to finish watching the 3:00PM football game instead of going to church?
Do you use your phone to check football scores during church?

There are many more questions I could ask but I'll stop there. And, ok, the last one is a personal and very recent mistake. Got caught doing that Sunday night and got a very deserved talking to. Please understand....I am guilty of many of the others as well. I am talking as much to myself as anyone else. Many of these things aren't "wrong" but they just show how dedicated (or undedicated) we are to God. We often put worldly things, thoughts, events, activities, etc ahead of God. We make excuses....really good excuses why but it all comes down to our priorities. Is it too much to ask to give just one day of our week totally to God? Or even most of the day? Or at least more of it than we do now? We get six other days a week to do our worldly things....job, school, family, leisure, etc. Those are all important but doesn't God trump all? Shouldn't he get one day where we focus more on Him than anything else? Maybe the OT "Remember the Sabbath" was a step in the right direction. Part of me wishes we weren't allowed to do anything on Sunday. Maybe that would make it easier to focus on Him.

This is something I need to work on and I thought I'd share it here as well. I want to give every day to Him and focus on Him for a set time each day, but I also think He deserves my Sundays. I know there are things I will have to do on Sundays. There will be work to do. There will be meals to eat. There will even be football games that I'll watch. But I need to make sure those things are on the back burner and God is way out in front. My thought process and habits need some tweaking. What about yours?

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

A Little Too Tents

2011-11-03T08:48:00.015-05:00

Hello? Remember me? It's been nearly a month since I've written. Why? I don't know exactly. I've just been extremely busy and haven't found the time to write. And I apologize to all of you who depended on this blog to make it through your day. I know there are lots of you out there. Yeah, right. Actually I only had one person ask where the updates were...my wonderful sister who worships the ground I walk on. The rest of you didn't say squat... so thanks a lot. Kidding of course. Life would go on without this blog and I've thought once again about stopping it. It does require some time that I usually don't have, but I also know that I don't just do it for the readers, I do it for myself too. It helps me retain my focus where it should be....on my Father above. So it's a good thing, even if nobody reads it. I suggest you do the same, if not in blog form, at least in journal/diary form. It's amazing what writing down your thoughts can do for your spiritual life. I highly recommend it. And I'm going to try and keep it up and post more regularly - at least once a week.

So what's been going on in my life? I know you're dying to know. Well, I've made it through almost 3 months of school this year. It's flown by. It goes faster every year. But it's been just as busy as ever too. I've been really focused and involved with Cross Country. We have the final meet this Saturday - State. My guys team made it, my girls not so much. They came in 4th in Region and you have to get third or better. So close. I hated it for them b/c I know they really wanted to go as a team and they worked their tails off trying. I did have 2 girls qualify as individuals so they'll run Saturday. I'm excited to see what they and the guys' team will do. I'll let you know. I already know that I'm extremely proud of what they've accomplished this season and I thoroughly enjoyed another great year of CC. But other than that, it's been life as usual. The boys both played flag football and that ends this Saturday as well. Now we are preparing for basketball season. I'll help coach Carter's team once again and I'm really looking forward to that. Actually, I'm also really looking forward to coaching baseball again. I passed by our ballpark the other day and had a sudden urge to get out there. Can't wait to coach those boys. I really enjoyed that this past Spring. I'm also looking forward to the holidays. Always enjoy that time with family. Plus it will be a nice break from this crazy, busy life. It's all making me a little tense......

And I'm not a fan of tents. Say what? Is that a random comment or what? Yes, it's very random but it has a point. I've had some bad experiences with tents. My earliest memory of sleeping in a tent was when I first joined Boy Scouts as a 12 or 13 year old. I was the new kid on the campout so I got paired up with a boy I didn't know... who didn't talk. Not one word. We had to set up our tent which I didn't know how to do and since quiet boy didn't talk, it made it very challenging. Then, when we went to bed, it was 4 degrees outside and I was homesick. And being the new kid, I got pulled out of my tent in my sleeping bag and dragged a few feet towards the forest. Scouts eventually got better but this first memory wasn't the best one. Granted, I enjoy camping, but setting up the tent is always quite the chore. I also seem to have trouble with the pop-up tents we use in Cross Country like the one above. When I coached middle school CC, I bought one and was so excited to use it for the team. Only the most important teams had their own tent. Of course, it only lasted two meets before the wind totally destroyed it. Skip ahead to two weeks ago. I decided to be a good coach and go set up early for our Metro Meet. I went during my planning period and set up our two tents. I knew it was a windy day, but I thought they would be ok for a few hours. Wrong! I got an email from a friend about 2 hours later saying he had just been to the course and one of our tents was upside down. Arrrggghh. When I got there, not only was it upside down but two of the legs were still staked into the ground so they were totally bent. Another dead tent. I dragged it to the trash can. And I can't help remember just over 7 months ago when I sat under a sagging tent on a cold, wet day at Woodlawn Cemetery. Tents have just not been my friend at any point. Thankfully, tents are only temporary. Check out this awesome passage from 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.....

¹ For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, ³ because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

I love this passage. Our lives on Earth are tents. They're a pain sometimes. They fall over. They even get destroyed. We suffer and have to keep rebuilding our tents. But one day the rebuilding will stop! It says we have an "eternal house in Heaven." I love verse 5 where it says our home in Heaven is "guaranteed". That's why He gives us His Spirit. It's a deposit. It's proof of my salvation. My house is waiting for me in Heaven and no wind will ever blow it over. I like verse 2 also...it says we groan for our Heavenly dwelling. Do you? I do. I can't wait. I want to be there so badly. As I've said before, I'm ready right now. But I'll leave it up to God to decide when He wants me. But I long for that day when I'll never have to set up a tent again. I'll have a strong home that nothing will ever destroy.

Wanna be my neighbor? Come on. I plan on having a big block party. No tents please.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

TV or not TV

2011-10-05T12:01:00.005-05:00

Television. That's a tricky one. Or is it? Is it really that bad? Is it really blog-topic worthy? Are you just fishin' in the dark here, Thweatt? Or is it a serious topic? Obviously I think it is or I wouldn't have chosen it. But there's a reason why I did? I saw something that I wish I hadn't. More on that in a second....

I remember watching a lot of TV as a kid. We had a big ole' 32 inch TV in our playroom. Well...that was big then. I even remember when we got a remote for the first time. It was not wireless. It was wireful. Or wired. Or whatever. It had a wire. A cord....that went all the way to the TV. On the remote was only one big knob that you could turn to access the channels. I remember when we got cable too. I was so excited. Our channels had quadrupled or five-tupeled or whatever the word is. I just sat there a-flippin' all day long. I remember my older sister and I staring at MTV all the live-long day just waiting for Thriller to come on. When it did we would scream and then sit and watch the nearly 14 minute long video. Then we'd sit and wait for it again. I don't think I had time limits on TV watching. I'm sure my mom will correct me should she read this, but I remember watching a lot. But of course, that was when TV was clean, wasn't it? Probably not. I'm sure I saw things I shouldn't have. I don't really remember any of them, but I'm sure I did. But it couldn't have been as bad as it is now, right? They actually had rules then on what you could and couldn't do or say. Those rules seem to have now gone bye-bye. It's certainly gotten worse. Do you agree? Back to what I saw recently.....

So I was working out the other morning. I was on the elliptical doing some serious exercise. Major ellipticing. I was in the new Lipscomb SAC weight room which I mentioned previously as being very nice. Brand new machines. Big room. Several TV's. I usually don't pay much attention to the TV's unless Sportscenter is on or something. I did catch myself watching Titanic the other day. It was on one of the TV's. I'm manly enough to admit that. But I generally don't watch them much. I listen to my Ipod instead. And that's just what I was doing. I was listening to my tunes when a spiritual song came on. I can't remember what it was....maybe "How Great is our God." I love that song. But right in the middle, it was ruined. I looked up and MTV happened to be on one of the TV's and they just happened to be showing the most controversial moments in the MTV video awards history. I couldn't believe what they were showing. I just happened to look up during one of the Brittney Spears songs and saw way more of ole' Brittney than I wanted to see. I immediately looked down and tried to focus on my music instead. My immediate thought was how ironic that I was listening to a song about how wonderful our God is and right in front of me was obvious evidence of how evil this world is. I'll admit that in the past, I may have looked at that TV a little too long. But I've really been trying to evaluate everything I do and see. I'm not perfect, but I've really been trying to keep my mind and heart clean and not look at things that I know go against God. This was an obvious one against Him.

I think TV is something that a lot of people make excuses for. I know I have in the past. "It's not that bad" or "they don't say or show that much" or "I watched it when I was a kid". That was my favorite excuse. I did it so what's wrong with it. What IS wrong with it? Is TV all bad? Should we do away with it altogether? What's too far? Where's the line? I think it's gotten tough these days. It's just getting worse and worse. They are allowing so much more on TV. They're line has changed. But should ours? I don't think so.

I'm really trying not to sound all "holier than thou." Sorry if it's coming across that way. I just think if we're being honest, there are a lot of things on that box we shouldn't be watching. There are a lot of things that God wouldn't want us watching. It always goes back to WWJD? Be honest. You know what He'd do. And again - I'm not perfect. I still occasionally find myself watching things I probably shouldn't. It's difficult....I know. There are very entertaining shows out there, but some just go too far. It's also hard because I love TV. I love to sit back and watch, especially if I've had a rough or long day.

Now don't get me wrong, there are still some good things on there too. To answer my earlier question, no I don't think we should do away with it altogether. I absolutely love sitting down with my family to watch a good clean show. We have gotten into game shows. Love GSN. There's also a lot of good family game shows on other channels as well. And there are other channels and shows we watch, but we try to be very careful about what our family watches. Just trying to live for God every second of every day. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Is watching one bad program going to condemn us? I don't know. Probably not, but I don't know. But why do it? Why show God that's the kind of person you are? After all He's done for us? Really?

Just something to think about. I have been and just thought I'd share.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

SYATP

2011-09-29T09:13:00.000-05:00

SYATP? What is that? It looks kindof like "shut up" - not that I would ever use those words. They're dirty in our house. But it does look like a gangster way to say "shut up." Say what? Here's what I mean.....I used to watch Bugs Bunny every single Saturday morning. What a great cartoon. There ain't nothin' like that anymore. I even ordered the DVD's and have introduced Bugs to my kids. They love it. It's laugh out loud funny to me. Yosemite Sam is my personal favorite, but they're all great. Except Pepe Le Pew. Never could stand him. One of my favorite episodes is when the 2 bad guys escape with Bugs but of course he keeps messing with them as they try to elude the cops. Anyways, more than once, one of the bad guys says "shut up rabbit." But it sounds more like "Syatp rabbit." Ok, that was a long way to get to that point, but that's what I thought of when I saw it. Again - I'm a little strange. Do you know what SYATP really stands for?

I heard about it on the news yesterday morning. I had already heard of it, but I did realize yesterday was the day. Apparently, on the 4th Wednesday in September, "See You At The Pole" happens all over the country....actually all over the world. It began as the work of a single youth group in Texas in 1990. It spread simply by word of mouth and today, several million around the country and planet participate. The advice is to gather around your school's flagpole (if you have one) at 7AM on that day to pray. It has met conflict of course. After several objections and lawsuits, any student can participate, but teachers cannot. The schools cannot encourage or discourage it. They must stay out of it. Like I said, I heard about it on the news today. They also discussed how some teachers must sign a card understanding they will face discipline if they participate. There have been instances right here in Tennessee where teachers and coaches have gotten in trouble for simply bowing their heads during a student-led prayer. I cannot comprehend how low and worldly our country and it's leaders must be to allow that to be ok. Government workers cannot even bow their head when they want to. That's not freedom! I will NEVER, I repeat NEVER work in a public school for that very reason. I will work at McDonalds (nothing against the fry guys out there - I worked there once) before I work at a place that won't allow you to pray, let alone bow your head.

I try to stay out of politics. I don't like it. I just try to serve my God. He's told me and I know that this world is evil. Things like this are going to happen. The world won't cease to be evil. We can try to make it better and we should, but it will never be perfect. Oh believe me, I'd love to do something about this. For some reason, hearing this on the news this morning made me angry. Most government things don't. I know a lot of people that complain about the government, the economy, Obama. Whatever. That's their right. But not me. Maybe I should care more but I just feel that complaining does nothing. Actions do I guess. But I honestly don't care. Our country is never going to be "right" or "perfect". It will never be where everyone is happy. So I don't care about the politics and government stuff. Maybe that's wrong and maybe I should. I'm just trying to continue my path to Heaven and bring as many as I can with me. That being said, this prayer thing did make me upset. Maybe because it's more spiritual centered and not just government centered. I don't like anybody messing with anyone's spiritual practices. And I wish there was something I could do...we could do. There has to be enough people out there that agree that teachers should be able to pray if they want. That they should be able to participate in SYATP. There has to be more that agree than those who don't. Right? Maybe not, but I think so. I'm not sure what I can do. I know I can pray. And I will. My prayer today is that God will allow people to talk to him publicly if they want to and not feel threatened if they do. My prayer today is for those teachers, coaches, and government workers who have to hide who they really are and whose they really are. My prayer is that they stand up for their beliefs and rights....that they stand up for God. I know God says to follow the government and abide by the rules, but not when it takes Him away, right? As Christians, we shouldn't stand for that.

I feel very very blessed to work in a place where I can say all day long who I am and whose I am. And I can tell others about it and try to bring them along for the ride. I don't make any money, but I don't care. Being allowed to proclaim my faith is worth more than any salary I could ever make. And I will never give that up. Maybe this is more of a soapbox than it should be but it just got under my skin a little so I thought I'd share. If you are reading and your rights are limited.....if you are reading and you are threatened for serving our God......if you are reading and you're not allowed at the pole.....all I would say is stand firm. Look for a way out if possible. If not, look for a way to fight this ridiculous injustice. I'm on your side. God is too. Rest assured that one day soon, you'll be in a place where you can stay at the "pole" all day long. Forever. You see, I'm thinking that maybe God has a flagpole right in the center of Heaven. I'll be there singing His praises. Come join me.

See You At The Pole!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

A Welcome Thief

2011-09-26T09:00:00.006-05:00

Ever been robbed? I haven't. Not personally. Knock on wood. And this is not an invitation to give me my first experience. My family was robbed when I was just a wee lad. I think I was 4 or 5. My dad, mom, older sister and me were on summer vacation. We were at some hotel heading for the beach. I guess we had stopped about halfway for the night. I don't remember much. But apparently, someone used a coat hanger during the night to open the back of our family truckster (a.k.a. station wagon). I guess since we were just stopped for the night, we had left most of our stuff in the back of our car. Don't do that by the way. Take it in. Anyways, they took it all. All our suitcases. The only thing I remember is sitting on the bed with my sister who was crying. On the other bed were my mom who was also crying I think, and my dad who was on the phone calling the police. That's about all I remember. I just remember thinking that something bad must have happened, but I guess I didn't really grasp what was going on. We ended up going on a major shopping spree, getting a new wardrobe and continuing on with our vacation. We never found our stuff. I think I lost a favorite Mickey Mouse shirt that night. I hope there's some criminal out there wearing a very small Mickey shirt who is very happy.

I know a good number of folks that have been robbed. It stinks. I hate hearing those stories. I think the worst part would be not necessarily losing your stuff, but feeling violated or unfairly treated. It's just not fair that people come in and take what is yours. It doesn't feel good and there's not usually much you can do about it. I have no sympathy for a thief. We had a student last week who walked up to another student at lunch, took his hotdog, and started eating it. When we asked him why, he simply said, "I just wanted it." Say what? But it's not your hotdog you big thief!! He took a hotdog that didn't belong to him. He just took it. No sympathy for that. He went way down on my favorite student list. I don't like thieves. Well, there's one exception.....there's only one thief that I like. In fact, I love this thief. I love Him more than my family. That thief is Jesus.

Jesus, a thief? What? Ok, so He's not exactly a thief, but the Bible says when He comes next time, He will come like a thief. He's compared to a thief. Just like a thief is sneaky and comes when you least expect it, Jesus will also. We don't know when He's coming back. That's God's plan. Would I like to know when He's coming back? Yes and no. Yes, because I would want to be ready and it would be nice just to know. But no because I want to be walking that narrow path at all times, not just because I know when He's coming. Plus, this world would be a much scarier place if everyone knew He wasn't coming back for a while. But the Bible does say he'll come like a thief. I Thess. 5:2 says....

² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

But when I read this the other day, I discovered the next few verses which I've never noticed or been taught before. Look at verse 4.....

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

In other words, it SHOULDN'T be like a thief to us. I've always been taught that Jesus will come like a thief....when we least expect it.....you better be prepared......almost like a scare tactic. And maybe that's a good way to get people ready. But I read this scripture as something different. To me it says that if we're walking in the ways of the Lord, if we're "not in darkness" and we have the relationship with God we're supposed to, it won't be like a thief at all. We'll be expecting it at all times and it won't be a surprise. It will be just what we've been waiting for. I don't know about you, but I think of a thief as an unhappy thing. As a scary thing. I don't want to think of Jesus's coming like that. I want to be ready always. I want to be in light, not darkness so that His coming won't surprise me at all, no matter when it is. I would LOVE to be around to get to see that during my lifetime. What a glorious and most beautiful sight that would be! Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. Maybe I'll already be with Him when He comes. But one thing is for sure....I'm going to live my life expecting Him to come at any second. I will always be ready. It won't be like a thief to me. If it is, it will be a welcome thief because I'll always be expecting Him and hoping for Him. And this "thief" can take anything He wants. Especially me. He will be the most welcome guest of all!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Bring on the Morning!

2011-09-20T12:07:00.004-05:00

I want to run! A marathon. Really bad. Or at least a half-marathon. I just want to run. I'm not sure what is going on, but I have this strong urge to run again. It's been several weeks since I've run and I don't like it. And I think my body doesn't like it. I know my growing mid-section doesn't like it. I still have some heel pain in the mornings and I'm trying really hard to let that heal completely before I try running again. But it's just taking forever. And it's annoying. But I've pretty much decided that I'm going to run another race in the Spring. Something local and cheap but at least a half-marathon and maybe a full. I just need to have that race on the horizon to keep me motivated and going. I enjoy it too much to just give it up.

The last time I ran a race was March - a local half-marathon here in downtown Nashville. That was over 6 months ago! And it looks like it will be about a year before I get another one in. That's too long for me. I am seeing running friends run these races and make plans for marathons and that just makes me excited all over again to run again at some point. In the meantime, I think I'm going to get back to working out. I haven't done much of anything over the last 2-3 weeks. But Monday of this week, I discovered the new SAC here at Lipscomb Univ. Very nice! Brand new weight room that opens at 5:30AM. Perfect. I tried it the last 2 mornings and it was great. Only a few people there and lots of open machines. I'm going to try to keep that up most days if I can. It's a great way to start out the day. Which leads me to a question.....how do you start your day?

I used to start my day a lot differently than I do now. Getting up each morning was a chore. I dragged out of bed and slowly made my way to the shower. It was the only way I knew to wake up. Then I would get dressed, read the paper, and head off to school. That was it. Same boring routine every day. I see now that's no way to start off a day. Now I do all of the above but I add some time with God in the mix. It's like a new surprise every morning. New sunrise. New things to see in His creation. New scripture and words from God each morning. New things to talk to Him about every single day. It has given me a new appreciation for mornings. I actually look forward to my mornings. A lot. It makes me hop out of bed a little quicker and peppier. (is that a word? It looks like a spice.) I still hobble a little b/c of my heel but I'm definitely happier to be awake. And now that I've started working out in the mornings, I enjoy them even more. I wait on the shower and I use the workout to wake me up. It's a great way to do that and it makes me feel good and a little proud all day long since I've gotten it done. So I've started using my mornings for some physical exercise and more importantly - some spiritual exercise. Morning is very quickly becoming my favorite part of the day, although it's got some tough competition with my family in the evening when I get home.

So how do you start your morning? I'm not saying my answer is perfect or I have it all figured out, but I can't argue with how I feel. Starting off the morning right seems to make each day so much better. It's becoming a habit for me.....a very good habit. And I love it. I would love to share my morning with anyone if you're interested. The physical exercise part or the spiritual. Just let me know. At least try the spiritual yourself....even if it's a few minutes.....it really will change your day and most importantly change your life. It has mine.

Hope everyone has a good week!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Teaching A Class Full of Innocent Children

2011-09-11T06:57:00.000-05:00

I was standing up in front of my class. It was a little after 8AM. I don't remember what the students were doing, but they were working on their own. I was just standing there watching them enjoying the day. It was my 26th birthday so I was determined to have a good day and then go home and enjoy celebrating a little with my family. I happened to look over into my office. I had positioned my computer screen a long time before so it was facing out. I could always tell when I had a new email because it would highlight in blue. I happened to notice that I had a new one. Some, including my sweet wife, might tell you that I have a little email OCD. I can't stand letting my emails pile up and like to check them often. Sometimes too often. Ok, often too often. But since my students were working quietly and I wasn't actually teaching, I decided to see who the email was from. I'll never forget walking into my office and clicking on it. It was from another teacher, Darrell Blankenship in the high school. It was one sentence. It said..

"Two planes have just hit the World Trade Center in New York."

That was it. It wasn't signed. There was nothing else. I remember thinking....that has to be wrong. He's mistyped it. There's no way it's TWO planes. Maybe one plane, but not 2. I then walked toward the television in my classroom. I wanted to see if it was on the news. I remember thinking that it had to be a small plane....like a traffic reporter or something. There's no way a commercial airliner could accidentally fly into a building. I still thought it was just one plane. I turned on the TV and the image was immediately there. The World Trade Center....both buildings....on fire. I had been at the top of the World Trade Center before. I had been to New York with my family and had gone to the top like a lot of tourists do. It was a great view and a fun experience that I wouldn't forget. I couldn't believe that they were now BOTH on fire. It was true! 2 planes. A couple of the kids looked up from their work. "What is that, Mr. Thweatt?" I didn't answer. I just told them to keep working. Yeah, right. Not 10 seconds after I turned it on, the announcer broke in and said.."We are going to switch to a camera in Washington where we've just learned that a third plane has gone down into the Pentagon." What? My heart started beating faster and I got nervous immediately. Now I realized what was going on. It's funny. I didn't realize it with the first 2 planes. I guess I didn't really have time to process it all. But when I heard "third plane," I knew. I turned it off. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to watch. Badly. But I didn't know if I should. Should I be showing the kids those images? And I had a lesson to teach. It was a normal day, right? If I just turned off the TV, it would just go away. Maybe that was my hope. But it didn't go away. I couldn't get it off my mind. I tried to teach, but my mind was a million miles away or I guess a thousand or so.

The rest of that day is kind of a blur. I remember several things....calls I made to family, seeing people crying, a special chapel service, going home and being glued to the tv, going to my masters' class that I couldn't believe was still meeting, and participating in a special church service that evening. But for some reason, the few minutes when I first found out are so much more vivid. I will never forget that morning....the events, my thoughts, the looks on people's faces, words that were said. It all plays in slow motion now.

The first time I heard the Alan Jackson song "Where were you when the world stopped turning?" I got chills. One of the lines from that song is "teaching a class full of innocent children." That's where I was. Those kids were innocent and their world was forever changed that day....as was all of ours. God created a beautiful world, but it's far from perfect and far from innocent. It can be scary. It can be evil. It can be horrifying. It can be sad. I pray we never experience anything like 9/11 again, but I know that doesn't mean we will escape frightening times. God tells us through his Word that there will be suffering. But he also gives us a promise of a place with no suffering. Why anyone would jeopardize their chance to go to a place like that is beyond me. Heaven is for real. Hell is for real. This world can be rough sometimes but it's no hell. Hell will be worse. Those are facts. I want Heaven. I want it now. I'm willing to wait until God's ready for me but oh how I long for it.

9/11 was suffering. We will all have to endure suffering. But only for a short time if we truly give our lives to Him and prepare ourselves for Heaven. Please join me in preparing so we never have to experience a 9/11 again.

May God bless all the families directly affected that day. May He bless our service men and women. May He bless our leaders. May He bless our country. And may He bless you and me as we give our lives for Him.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

One Hand

2011-09-07T10:44:00.009-05:00

Since this blog began as a running blog, I guess I should give some running news occasionally. I try to do that, but my personal running has taken a backseat. I'm not where I was a year ago at this time. One year ago, I was preparing to run the Chicago Marathon in a month. I was also looking ahead to the Disney half and full marathon is a few months. Currently I'm looking ahead to diddly-squat. No, that's not a local race you've never heard of, although that would be a great name. That means nothing. Nada. I have no races on the horizon. I'm still nursing a slightly sore heel. I've been running occasionally with my CC team and I think that has kept the heel from healing completely. My plan is to keep doing the occasional run (about 3 times a week) with the team and then take a long break after the season through Christmas. After the holidays, I'd like to really get back into running and put a half or full marathon on my calendar. I just have to have a race on my agenda to keep my motivation to run. And I'm not ready to quit running. I hope I can keep it up for years to come in some form. My CC team had their first "meet" yesterday although it was a scrimmage race. It was officially the wettest race I've ever coached. It was yucko. Everything and everybody was soaked, but I still enjoyed it and saw some great performances out of my runners. Can't wait for our first official race next Tuesday.

So I was leading singing in chapel last week. I also decided to show an inspirational video. It's the one here.

I had seen it before but it had been a while. Actually, I remember when this happened. But I showed it and made the point while "not giving up" is a great lesson from this video, the lesson I took even greater was that OUR Father is always there to hold us up as well. He doesn't even have to come out of the stands....He's already beside us in tough times....and in good times. It was inspiring to me and I was hoping to the kids as well. After I made the few comments, we sang the song "How Great is Our God"....one of my favorites. That's when I saw the hand. One hand sticking up. One hand alone. One student was praising God with all her heart and felt the need to reach up to God. Now I was the one who was inspired again. What boldness! This girl wasn't reaching for God for show. She wasn't trying to be funny. She was reaching for her Father as she sang to Him. Her eyes were closed. Her mouth was wide open and full of song. It made an impression on me.

Raising hands used to be weird to me. I remember the first time I really saw it was when I visited a girlfriend's church in high school. The hands weirded me out more than the band. I just wasn't used to it and people all around were doing it. I didn't understand it. But I have totally different views about it now. I know some people wonder about it. Are people doing it for show? Are they sincere? What's the point? I honestly don't think that's for us to decide. I'll tell you this though. There have many times when I have been so moved and inspired in praise that I've wanted to reach toward God myself.....especially during these last several months where my relationship with God has grown immensely. But I often just keep my hands in my pockets. My excuse? I don't want to offend. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. But is this the right attitude? I honestly don't know.

I heard a great sermon a week ago or so at church from Acts 3 when Peter and John healed the crippled beggar. What did he do when he was healed? Did he sit quietly and say "thank you"? Did he go home and celebrate in the privacy of his own home? NO.....he went jumping and leaping through the temple praising God. He didn't worry about offending anyone. And Peter and John sure didn't try and stop him. The point was made that maybe we need to be more active and vocal while praising God. I agree 100%. Shouldn't we be bold in our praise of God? After all, it's the least we could do after all He's done for us. I'm not sure the reaction if I jumped and leaped while I sang praises. I'd do it if I didn't think I'd give some people a heart attack. But can I at least raise my hands toward my God if I feel compelled and led to do so? Chapel girl did. She didn't care what anyone around thought. I believe she was sincerely praising God and I was moved by her example of worship. I admired what she did for her Father. And I told her so later.

I want to be bold for Christ. Jesus himself said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven." Matt. 10:32. We have to be bold and show others where our dedication lies. We can't be afraid of criticism, dirty looks, embarrassment, or maybe even offending others. Isn't acknowledging God more important than offending others? If there's nothing Biblically wrong with reaching toward God, isn't it ok to do if it's part of my worship? After all, the Bible says we are to lift hands in prayer. (I Tim. 2:8) Or am I wrong about all this?

I hope not. I want to give God my best. My full praise. My sincere worship. And I really don't want to be distracted while I'm doing it thinking about if I'm being offensive to others. This is something I've been thinking about lately and would be curious of anyone's thoughts. All I know is I need to care more about what I'm doing to serve and praise my Heavenly Father and less about what others think. That can't be giving God my all. And God deserves my all.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

We're Building Up the Temple

2011-08-29T14:11:00.005-05:00

Had a great weekend with family and friends. Ultimate Frisbee Friday afternoon with my CC team (always great). Sounds baseball game Friday night with friends which included an awesome Michael Jackson medley fireworks show and running the bases (the kids - not me). Faan (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) walk and events at Centennial Park on Saturday morning (great cause and a lot of fun) . Hilarious skit practice with six 4th grade boys for the upcoming talent show (so funny!) Fantasy Football draft party with Carter and his 4th grade football team (watching the boys get into the live draft was great). Titans game Sat. night with friends. 2 great worship services with brothers and sisters Sunday including an amazing song service of praise Sunday night. It was a busy weekend but full of fun activities and that's the way I enjoy it. This morning it was back to the routine and God reminded me during my time alone with Him that each day is a blessing....and I'm grateful for every one.

My class built this on Friday....can you tell what it is?

No? Hey, they did it in about 20 minutes so all things considering, it's not too bad. It's supposed to be Solomon's temple. If you looked inside, you'd see 2 cherubims and the ark of God complete with two stone tablets. They each had a part of the temple to build and contribute. We build it each year and it always looks basically the same, but each class gives it their own personality. We are studying I Kings in Bible class as you may have guessed. It's always fascinating to me (probably more to me than the kiddos) how much detail is given to this temple in the book of I Kings. Go back and read chapters 5-8 at some point. The temple was exquisite. It was made of the finest materials and no expense was spared. It even says that no hammer or nail was used....every piece just fit into place. How amazing is that? I would've loved to have seen this temple in person. I can only imagine how amazing it would've been. After it was finished in chapter 8, God's presence fills the temple like a cloud. Obviously, He was pleased as His Spirit moved through the entire building. What a wonderful place that would've been to visit, worship, praise, pray, sing, meditate, etc. When I had the pleasure to visit Jerusalem a few years ago, I saw where the temple once stood, but of course it is no longer there like it was. And I think that's how it's meant to be.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 reads:

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

A physical temple is no longer needed for God. We are the temple. You. Me. According to this and other verses, each of us in our own bodies houses the Spirit of God. His presence still fills the temple like it did in Solomon's day. What a wonderful reality. We don't have to travel to Jerusalem to see the temple or even the remains of it. We see the temple every time we look in a mirror. God has built a new temple inside of us and we are to use it to glorify God every second of every day. Sometimes we (myself included) mess up and defile the temple but we never lose the presence of God or His Spirit. And check out this amazing verse I discovered the other day.

2 Corinthians 5:5

⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

GUARANTEEING. I love that word. Our salvation is guaranteed and we have the Spirit of God inside us as a "deposit"..... as an assurance. When I read that the other day it was a complete renewal of my hope, longing, and assurance of Heaven one day. Why do we often live like we're trying to "earn" Heaven when it's already been given to us? We should live like we're going home and celebrating what is to come. Heaven is not ours to win. We've already won it! It is only ours to lose if we choose through our sin not to accept this amazing gift. From now on, I plan to try even harder to abstain from sin, not because it'll keep me from Heaven (as it can), but more importantly because it tears down God's temple. It defiles what He's given me and is a slap in the face to my Father when He's blessed me with a "guarantee" of eternal life with Him.

If someone gave me a wonderful birthday gift, I would never offend them or go against them in return. Why would this gift from God be any different?

Build up your temple. Make it a house of God that he is pleased with. And realize that His Spirit inside you is the first taste of what is to come. It's assured. It's a given. It's definite. It's Heaven. Praise God!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Be Weird!

2011-08-22T14:44:00.007-05:00

Planning to run three times this week. I'm still slowly getting over my heel injury. That one was a doosie. Doosie. What a weird word. Is that even how you spell it? This is telling me it's misspelled, but it has no suggestion. But I can't think of a synonym. It was a doosie of an injury. It has taken forever to get better. It's still not 100% but it's much better. I ran 5 miles yesterday and the heel hurt a little this morning but not nearly as bad. I plan to run tomorrow and Friday. I want to get back into it....just have to wait for my rickety old body to kick in. Doosie? Doosy? Douisy? Weird word.

Speaking of weird....I've made a discovery and I believe it to be 100% true. Nobody can convince me otherwise. Here it is.....kids are weird! That's it. I'm around kids all the time and they are weird. They say weird things....do weird things.....they're just weird. Even high school, soon to be adult, kids are weird. My Cross Country team is weird and I shared this same speech with them last week in our team devo. I told them they are weird. Don't get me wrong, I love them and I love being around them each day.....but they're weird. Especially....ok, really only...my guys team. Here's an example....I came to our field house one day last week and walked into the guys' side. Here's some pictures of what I saw.....

Apparently, the day before, during their "run", they had found some nice items to decorate the field house with. I call the items TRASH but they call them "art". After I had left for the day, they had taken the time to hang up these items and decorate. They love it. I think it's pretty dumb to be perfectly honest but whatever. It's their field house. And I told them, if that's the weirdest thing they do all year, I'll be just fine. Just don't be too much weirder. Maybe pushing a grocery cart while running is a better workout anyways. But it backs up my point....kids are weird. I'm weird too sometimes. Maybe that's why I like being around kids so much. We're all weird at some point....right? I propose today that maybe we should be weird. In fact, I have no doubts that we should be weird spiritually.

Here's what I mean....being "weird" means being different. And aren't we called to be different? I told my runners that I'm fine with them being a little weird in their choice of decoration, but I'd also like them to be weird spiritually. I'd like for their friends and classmates to think they are weird when it comes to their spiritual life. Maybe they lead a prayer at a random time....weird! Maybe they talk about God in their conversation....weird! Maybe they even turn off their radio while driving around with friends and sing a song to God.....very weird! That would be very hard for them, I know. That would be hard for any of us. We don't want to be weird. We want to conform and be like everyone else. We want to fit in and be the same. We want to be accepted. Being weird sometimes means being excluded. But if enough of us are weird, maybe being weird won't be so weird. Say what?

I was just trying to convince them...and me...and anyone to be different from the world. Most of the world isn't giving God what He deserves. Most of the world is concerned with self first. Most of the world is on the wide road to destruction and not on the narrow path to life. So we're called to be different...to be weird. Consider these verses, the first from Paul, the 2nd from Christ....

^{Romans 12:2

2} Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

John 15:18-19

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

It may be uncomfortable or awkward or out of our comfort zone, but we're called to be different...to be weird.

So be weird today. I'm trying to be.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

What a Gift!

2011-08-17T10:24:00.009-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. Not my actual birthday, my spiritual birthday. 24 years ago yesterday I was baptized into Christ. It's funny, it means so much more to me as I grow up then it did at the time. Don't get me wrong, I knew what I was doing and I feel good about when and how I did it, but it just means a lot more to me now. Anyways, I received a day-late birthday gift from God this morning. I wasn't expecting it but He gave me quite a show and I just had to write about it. Here's what happened....

I was driving to Woodlawn cemetery this morning. This makes 8 school mornings in a row that I've gone to Griffin's grave to talk and listen to God. I've seen some beautiful skies and sunrises the last 7 mornings but this morning took the cake. Actually, it totally demolished the cake. This morning without a doubt was the most beautiful sunrise and sky I've ever seen. As I was driving, I went around a curve about a mile away from the cemetery and literally gasped. The sky was full of bright, pink clouds. It was amazing. I also literally almost swerved because it took me by such surprise. I pulled over. I wanted to just look at it so badly. I wanted to capture it. I wanted to share it. I wished I had my camera. Then I remembered my Ipad. It takes pictures, right? Does it ever. So I took several. Dozen. Granted, the pictures don't do it justice, but I took one on the road there and then drove on to the cemetery. When I got there, instead of reading and praying like I usually do, I just stared and took pictures. Then, when I thought it couldn't get any more beautiful, the sun slowly started to come up. I had to take a whole new batch of pictures for that. It was just amazing. I wish you could've been there with me. God was all over that sky and he talked to me so loud and clear through it. I've put several in a post below this one, but again, they don't do it justice.

One more thing....since I was a kid, I've always loved when the sun rays come through the clouds like the picture to the right. I've always, for as long as I can remember, thought of God when I see that. I don't know why. It just seems like God shining down from above. I bought this framed saying (below) a long time ago just for the picture. I keep it in my office. I mean, I like the saying, but I really just like the picture because it's God for me. I saw that again this morning. Check out this picture of a stray ray making it's way to Griffin's grave marker.

Again, tell me God isn't talking through this. It's so obvious. He's there. He cares. He's comforting. He's healing. He's present. I actually said to God this morning, "How come I've never seen You so clear as I do now?" I love that He's making His presence so obvious to me. He keeps giving me gifts even though I don't deserve them.

This morning God gave me a very unexpected, but wonderful gift.

Yes, He gave me an amazing sky and sunrise.

But most importantly, He gave me His presence.

And it was a gift I'll never forget.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Pictures from God. August, 17, 2011

2011-08-17T08:07:00.018-05:00

This is the first one I had to pull over to take. It just got better from there. (Click on them to make them larger if you want.)

One Year Ago Today

2011-08-12T12:15:00.000-05:00

It was today. Friday. First full day of school. 2010. I can't believe it's been a year. What a year it's been! The best and worst year of my life. All in one. Was it the best? I think it was. Was it the worst? I know it was. So what happened exactly one year ago today...right now....at this exact time. Here's the story:

I was sitting in my office just as I am now. I was on my planning period just as I am now. I was busy at work but excited that another year had started. A new group of kids. I'm always excited at the beginning of the year. I'm anxious to start back. I don't dread it. That's a good thing, right? If I did, I would need to look for a new career. But I love what I do and look forward to each new year. Do I have bad days? Of course. Who doesn't at their job? (If you don't, don't tell me.) And I'll admit by the time May rolls around, I'm ready to go. I'm ready for summer. I just need a break. Everyone does. Summer break for schools are a very good thing. It's just needed. Ok, I'm getting off subject. Anyways, I was sitting at my desk when my phone rang. I answered and it was my wife. She asked if she could come see me for a second during my planning period. I said sure. What a wonderful wife, I thought. Wanting to come see me on my first day. She really does love me. She already misses me. She arrived about 5 minutes later. So fast. Wow, she really does want to see me, I thought.

I heard her come in but didn't look up immediately. I was working on something...can't remember what...and I never will because what happened next emptied out my brain completely and put a brand new volume of thoughts in there. I looked up and smiled. She didn't really smile back. She had shut my office door. I could tell she was a little upset. My first thought was of course....what have I done? I was sure I had done something wrong and I was really racking my brain to figure out what it was. I was about to just ask...it's easier that way....when she spoke first. I have no idea what she said. It's all a blur now. Something about...I knew something felt different...I'm just going to tell you....I can't believe it but...I don't really remember any of those things. All I remember was the next sentence..."I'm going to have another baby." Come again now? My jaw dropped....to the floor....actually below the floor. My jaw actually dug a hole in the floor so it could get a little lower. Susan isn't afraid to tell you she told me those words through tears. It was a shocking and scary announcement. We weren't planning, trying, expecting, any of those words to have another baby. We thought we were finished. We had discussed it before, but had made the conclusion, or so we thought. My first reaction was shock, then confusion, then more shock, then worry, but by the time we hugged and she left, there was definitely some joy and happiness in there. It took Susan a little longer, but she eventually found the same joy and happiness. After we both accepted it and just gave it to God, we knew it was a blessing and were extremely excited to be getting this wonderful surprise. But you know the rest of the story. That's why it was the worst year of my life.

But I'm also prepared to say it was the best. Why? My relationship with God today compared to my relationship with Him then...when I sat in that office picking up my jaw with a shovel....has done a complete 180. Well, I guess not 180, but somewhere in the 100's. I was doing fine then. I went to church and went through all the motions. I was generally good. I felt pretty good about my life. But I had no idea what all I was missing out on. And it took the gift and then death of my child for me to see it. Yes it's a shame it had to take that but I believe it's all part of God's plan. I see God so much clearer now. I feel him so much closer now. I understand him so much better now. I want to be with Him so much more now. My desire to share Him with others is so much stronger now. He's all that really matters now. So in that sense, as far as my salvation and eternity are concerned, it was the best year of my life.

I've still got a ways to go. I'm learning more every day. But I'm on the way, the right way. I'm on the narrow path to Heaven. Matthew 7:14.

What a year it has been!!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

That Last Book - What a Revelation! (Part 2)

2011-08-10T07:22:00.007-05:00

God is amazing! Can I just start out with that? The past three mornings I have seen the most beautiful sunrises. Pink skies. I love when the sky is that color. I've gone to Griffin's grave the last 3 mornings to spend some time with God and it's just been amazing. It's funny, the sunrise and the sky are different every morning. They never look exactly the same, but the One who created them IS the same. He will never change. His words, His love, His word, His promises, His Spirit, His Son, His eternity.....never change. But I'm grateful that his creation does. It's like a new surprise each morning when I get there. I could sit there forever.

That is if I didn't have 8 million things to do. What a busy week. School. I could say "ugh" but that sounds negative and I'm actually not in a negative kindof mood. Yes, the busyness is tough and I hate not being able to spend the time with my family that I've been used to the last few months, but I'm actually looking forward to school. I do every year. A new batch of kids = a new opportunity to influence kids and lead them toward God. Speaking of opportunities, my prayers these last few months have included a request for God to use me. I want to be His instrument and do whatever He needs done. I want to share Him with others as I've mentioned on here before. It's amazing how He is answering that prayer. People keep coming up to me saying that I need to talk to this person or that person. I hear about kids who are having troubles at home and need encouragement. Just a few days ago, God used a friend to tell me about someone that has fallen away and needs encouragement to come back to God. It's so obvious that God is answering my prayer so I'm going to do my best to talk to these individuals even though it's a little out of my comfort zone. God is calling. How can I not answer?

I got to meet a couple of very special people this past Monday afternoon. I had gotten an email from a friend that Todd Burpo, the author of "Heaven is for Real" (the book I menioned in the last post) was going to be signing copies at Lifeway bookstore nearby. I decided to go. That book helped me in the darkest point in my life and brought such encouragement and hope and I just had to thank this man. I got there 15 min. early but was still waaaaay back in line. There were a lot of people there. It's obviously affected a lot of people. I had no idea that his son, Colton would be there also. Colton is who the book is about. He's the boy that got a glimpse of Heaven. I waited about 45 mintues, longer than I was expecting, but it was worth it. When I got to the front, I told them both how grateful I was for the book and how much it helped me during a very rough time. They were both very kind. You can see their signatures. Notice that Todd wrote Hebrews 12:2. It reads...."Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." What a great reminder and summary of our goal and duty. In the book, Colton says he saw Jesus sitting there...at the right hand of God. I can't wait to see that myself.

Ok, back to Revelation. After reading Revelation, I got a strong urge to re-read the Left Behind series of books. I read these about 5-6 years ago and loved them. For some reason, I read 11 of the 12 books but didn't read the final one. Not sure why. But I've started them again. I read the first one very quickly and am now almost done with the 2nd. They are page turners and I look forward to reading each night if I have some time. I know there is some disagreement about the books and discussion about if they should be read, but I read them as fiction. They are a good story. Is that how it will happen when Christ returns? I don't know. Nobody knows exactly what will happen. We have clues, especially in the book of Revelation, but I don't read these books as an exact representation of what it will be like. Like I said, I just enjoy the story. But (you knew that was coming), you can't read those books and not think. And I think it's a good think. Huh? Did that makes sense? I just mean reading those stories does make me think about my own life and what would happen IF Jesus did come back today. Would I be taken or "left behind"? In the book, some great (and God-believing) individuals are left behind because they weren't sincere enough in their faith and I don't think it hurts to evaluate my own sincerity. I say I'm doing well with God and I feel like I am, but am I really? Deep down? Am I sincere in all aspects of my daily life? Something to think about for us all.

Now, that being said...I am comfortable with where I am. I'm not perfect. Not close. I have some hang-ups...some habits or tendencies that I know I need to work on. But I feel confident that if Jesus came back right this second, I would be welcomed home. And I don't say that with a sense of bragging or too much pride and I pray it doesn't come out that way. If it does, forgive me. But I think we are all supposed to "know" that we are saved. (I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. -I John 5:13) If we don't, we need to evaluate and figure out what's keeping us from knowing. And we need to be ready at all times. That's a good reminder to get at any time, even from a fictional book.

I've enjoyed my study of Revelation. I'm glad Carter is studying it for Bible Bowl. I hope to continue to study it and understand it because I'll be honest...I've got a long way to go. But I love the hope that the book brings. I can't wait to experience these things in eternity. And I also love that Christ himself speaks in this book. In the last chapter (22), verse 12, Christ says, "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."

Let us all strive to get that reward!

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

That Last Book - What a Revelation! (Part 1)

2011-08-02T20:46:00.004-05:00

Ok, so this post is going to be 2 parts because I just have too much to say. I've been thinking about this one for a week or so...actually I've been thinking about it all summer. I'll tell you why in a second. First, the update on the Days of My Lives.....

Cross Country is going well. I lost some runners that I never had. That always happens. I have these runners...actually they are not runners because they never run....I have these students who just walk like normal humans that say in the Spring that they are going to run CC when school starts back. They get me all stinkin' excited because they are great kids and then they don't even show. When I ask, they always have an excuse. I'm too busy with school work or I really want to just focus on soccer or baseball or guitar or hopscotch or whatever!! The sad thing is that a lot of them would be GREAT runners. I KNOW they would. And their running career is over...like that! The world will never know what they could've done for the CC team and for our school and for themselves and for their lives. Kindof sad isn't it? Cue the slow violin music. I'm usually mad at them for about a day and then I get over it. It is disappointing, but they're kids. What can I expect? It's not easy being a kid. (I know b/c I still act like one most of the time.) And I guess that kind of disappointment comes with coaching any sport. But the ones I have are awesome! 22 boys and 11 girls. And I can't wait to see what they're going to do. I really want to be running with them. Badly. But I'm going to take this final week off for my heel and then try to go back.

School starts one week from tonight. One week! Yikes. And inservice starts next Sunday afternoon. Say what? Yep, Sunday afternoon. Christian school stating on Sunday. Go figure. But whatever. The times they are a-changin'. At least that's what we keep hearing. We are going to worship next Sunday night as a school faculty with our families and I'm really looking forward to that. I love worshipping with my school family. Lots of different congregations coming together and praising as one. That's what it's all about I'd say, and I think it's a great way to start off our year.

So back to this post. Here's the deal. Early this Summer I really got into this last book of the Bible. Revelation. Just the word scares some people. Is is supposed to be scary? If I asked that question based on my growing up, I might have to say yes because it was never studied and barely talked about. And if it was brought up, it was often brought up in a 'we don't understand that book so we don't try to' kind of way. But here's why I got into it. Several reasons actually. First, when we lost Griffin, we got books. Lots of books. From many different people. I've read several. And for obvious reasons, most of them were on grief or losing someone or Heaven. The ones focusing on Heaven have been my favorites by far. Hence this new blog focus. I just said "hence". Strange word. Do you ever say 'hence'? Ok, it's lost all meaning. Sorry. Anyways....."Heaven if For Real" by Todd Burpo. Loved it. And you can call me crazy all day long and I may be but I believe it. I'm sorry if that's weird....and it's not just because I need to believe it, which I do....I know it's a kid and it could be totally made up, but I have no doubts God wanted me to read that book. It was given to us multiple times and suggested many more. It was even offered to me today.....over 4 months after our loss. I felt so happy when I read it....so filled with hope and joy and encoruagement. So I believe God was telling me to feel comfort through it and to believe it. If it's not true, does it really matter? Does it really hurt to believe in something like that? We know Heaven is going to be great and that our loved ones will be there. And a lot that was in there, I already believed anyways. Does it really matter what we believe about the details? I'm getting off track, but I just really loved that book. I just finished another one that I loved. It was called "Have Heart". It was by the Berger family who lost their son Josiah at age 19. They live in Franklin, TN. It is a GREAT book and I highly recommend it. It also gives such hope and happiness and longing for Heaven. They use a lot of scripture, especially from Revelation. The point is that a lot of these books we received focused on Heaven and since Revelation is that magic Heavenly guide, I've read more than my regular share of Revelation.

Another reason - Bible Bowl. This is Carter's first year to do Bible Bowl and each year a new book is chosen. Out of all 66, this year....you guessed it....Revelation. I was pretty surprised at first. And I've heard mixed discussion on that. I've even heard of some churches choosing not to participate because of the topic. Can't say I agree with that. Revelation is inspired by God just like the other 65. Why would you skip it? But after I got over my initial surprise, I was actually excited. I'm glad it's being studied. It should be. It certainly wasn't when I was young. Now granted, Bible Bowl from what I can tell is stricly memorization of facts. These kids aren't getting a whole lot on meaning. And that could be frustrating, but that's what Bible Bowl is. It's a competition based on memorization. That's what it's always been. And that's fine. But I'm glad those who choose the book each year didn't back away from it. I'm glad they didn't skip it so as not to offend. I wish it could be the chosen curriculum for kids or at least teenagers during a class or two at church. But after the summer focus, I have to ask these questions. Is Revelation ignored or avoided? Is it studied as much as any other book? What's the deal with Revelation?

My thought it that we've chosen to avoid it or just lightly touch on it because it does scare us. We don't understand it, understandably, and so we avoid it. We don't want to be wrong. We don't want to study something that's difficult. Study Psalms instead we may think. They're comforting and make sense. Again, Revelation is just as inspired by God as any other book. He wouldn't have put it in there if He didn't want us to study it. I just hope we're not avoiding it because we're scared of it. That's not right. Is it hard to understand? Yes it is! I don't claim to understand it all. I've read it. This summer. When I had to write Bible Bowl questions for the first five chapters for camp, I read them of course and then decided to just read the whole book. I don't get it all. I still don't know if it's telling me what's going to happen, what's already happened, if it's even going to happen ever. I do believe that it is a picture of Heaven. I do believe at least part of God's intention was to show us a picture of Heaven. I have really enjoyed reading about it through these books and it makes me want to study it more.

I'll stop for now, but there's more I want to say including a certain fiction series that I've started reading again because of Revelation. Some of you may know what I'm talking about. But it's just all made me think about this book. What is it's purpose? How it can help me? You? I feel God calling me to study it and focus on it and I won't let Him down. Would love to hear your thoughts. More in a few days....

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

A Couple of Reminders

2011-07-29T11:59:00.003-05:00

Don't have a long time to write today. I'm pretty busy getting ready for school. I cleaned out my office this week. Took everything out and threw away about 1/2 of it. Hadn't done that in years. Needless to say, it was pretty dirty. I even got sick due to the dust. Stuffed up. Watery eyes. Runny nose. You know. But it's pretty clean now. I'll try to keep it that way. Next week is classroom. Getting it ready because the next week starts school. Hard to believe. I got my class list and it looks good to me. Mostly because I don't really know but about 3 of the kids in there. But I'm looking forward to getting to know them. I've got high hopes that this is going to be a really good year.

Still not back to normal in my running. Heel still not 100%. I've even started wearing a brace at night that my in-laws let me borrow. I'm running when I need to at CC, but I'm still going to take it easy for another week or two.

But I really just wanted to throw out a couple of verses as reminders and encouragement. These were given out in sermons at our church last Sunday and God spoke to me through them. The first is Isaiah 55:8-9. It reads...

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This is the perfect verse to help me understand why things happen, even things I don't understand. It also reminds me that God is so much bigger than I could ever imagine. Just like Heaven is so much "higher" and "further" above the Earth, so God's thoughts are over ours. He knows what I need. I pray and He listens to me and is faithful to answer prayers, but it's on His time and in His plan. And I have to respect that. If a prayer doesn't get answered the way I want then I know He's got something better in mind. He knows what's best and that's what I want. His will be done. Even if I don't understand or even if I have to wait. I trust God because He knows. I want His will to be done.

The other verse was from Jeremiah 20:9. It reads:

9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.

I love how Jeremiah basically says it's impossible to hold the Word of the Lord in. He has to speak about God and tell others. This is how we should all be. We should be unable to keep from telling others how great God is and what He's done for us. Has God blessed you? Has God answered your prayers? Has God spoken to you or has His Holy Spirit given you a supernatural gift? If any of those are "yes" then tell others. Share it. Don't hold it in. I'm here today confessing that God has done all those things for me and so much more. He's a truly awesome God and I want everyone to know.

God is so good. He is so real and so apparent in my life. I pray the same for each of you. I hope these couple of verses can encourage you today as they did me. Have a blessed day and weekend.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

God's Egg

2011-07-22T13:57:00.013-05:00

2 weeks!! That's it. 2 weeks of summer left. Summer gets shorter every year. It seriously does. I remember growing up distinctly starting school in LATE August. Like the 26th or something. Now we register on the 9th. The NINTH!! We don't get August anymore. August is a school month. I wish we would just cut to the chase and do the year round thing. Come on! 9 weeks on...2 weeks off. That's what I want. Who's with me? Cross Country starts Monday. I'm really excited. I hope my team is as excited. Come on - running in this heat = FUN! I know they feel the same. We actually are starting tonight. I sent out an email to the team telling them I had decided to have a pre-season Ultimate Frisbee game tonight...totally optional....just for fun. I sent it out to the 40ish runners and waited for all the responses. 6 are coming. Six. Go team! I know, I know. It's last minute. Several are on trips or had plans. I can't blame them. So needless to say, it's gonna be small teams. But I'm still excited. I love playing UF.

I changed my FB profile picture. It wasn't easy. Part of me didn't want to and I know I didn't have to. I could've kept it the same forever. But it's just a small way to show that everything is ok. It's a small way to tell God that I trust in Him. He knows what's best. I don't have to dwell on anything sad because it's all good. Griffin's good. He's happy. I'm happy. I need to look ahead to when I will see him again and be even happier. To when I will see God and be something more than happy that I can't even understand right now. I changed it to the picture of God showing his love to me there on the beach. I love that picture because it's so easy to see God in it. And you know, I can see Griffin in that picture too.

God continues to speak to me in ways that are small and big. He continues to reassure me and show His obvious love for me and my family. He even uses others to share things with me and tell me things He wants me to do. God talks if you just listen. Funny how I really didn't take the time to listen until recently. Here's what he showed me in the last couple of days....

Remember the birds. Remember how when we got home from vacation and I was afraid I left God at the beach. But then I saw what God had done right outside our house. He created baby birds that had just hatched and were beautiful. I showed this picture:

Remember how I said that actually 2 had hatched and one hadn't quite gotten there just yet. We've been watching these birds the last few weeks. We've looked at them almost every day trying very hard not to disturb them too much. When we would get close, we could see the mother sitting on them but she would see us and fly to a branch on a very nearby tree. She'd watch us, probably thinking very mean thoughts. They slowly got bigger and bigger. It's funny, we knew there were 3 but it seemed we only saw 2 whenever we looked. I just assumed one was small and hidden under the others. About a week ago, I went to look once again and one of the little birds was standing on the edge of the nest. I quickly tried to back away trying not to scare him but it was a little too late. He took off. Oops. I hope he was ready to fly. He kindof disappeared into the tree. I really didn't mean to give him that push and I kindof felt bad. But I assume he's fine. We didn't hear or see him again. After he left, I could still only see one bird in the nest. Again, I assumed the other was hidden or had already flown away. The next day, I looked again and the 2nd bird that was easy to see had gone. But I didn't see an empty nest. Here's what I saw:

The third egg never hatched. Something must have gone wrong. I watched the egg for a few more days this week but it's still there. It's not going to hatch. The first 2 baby birds made it. The third did not.

Can anyone tell me that's not God talking!?

Here's what God said to me through that.....'You're not alone. These things happen. It's part of this world I created. And it's not a perfect world. I AM perfect, but the world is not. Bad things will happen. But rest assured and be comforted because you are heading to a place very soon where bad things will NEVER happen. There will be no sadness. No loss. No "unhatched eggs." Keep striving to do My will and I will bring you to Me soon to see your son and My son. '

Yep, I got all that from an egg. Funny, huh? But it's true. I don't know if that mama bird up in that tree felt sad. I'm not a big expert on bird emotions. But I felt sad for her. But it's ok. God's in charge. And He is good. He's faithful and He's preparing us all for a wonderful place beyond our comprehension. I don't know if there are birds in Heaven. I've never heard a sermon on that one. But today I'm imagining Griffin with a big smile on his face, holding a baby bird. Maybe that's silly, but it gives me comfort.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Can I Keep This Going?

2011-07-19T07:54:00.003-05:00

It's been 10 days since I last posted. Quite the break. Maybe a needed break. Maybe I'm posting too much. It's hard to know how much to post. I could always find a topic and write some thoughts but I try to wait until I feel called to do so. I try to wait until a topic is relevant to me or others. I have been busy the last 10 days but I could've posted. I just didn't feel that strongly about anything to post on. That feeling actually led me to this post. In other words, not posting led me to think about a post on not posting. So I decided to post on the fact that I wasn't posting. Confused? Me too.

Some other news first.....

I've stopped running again. My heal really was getting better but it just wasn't like it should be so I decided to take another week off. I hate it...again, but it's probably best. CC starts next week so I'll try running then. I bought a heel-gel-pad-support-thingy for my shoe. I like it. Hope it helps. If not, I'll wear it anyways just cause it feels good.

I did do a long run a week ago Sunday. We had just gotten back from Hilton Head the night before. When we got back, we started going through the mail. I always enjoy that part A week's worth of mail at once. It's exciting for some reason. Maybe I'm weird. Actually scratch the "maybe." Anyways, one of the letters that Susan opened up said that the grave marker for Griffin was finished. It said it had been delivered to Woodlawn Cemetery and would be installed in a couple of days. Susan noted to me how that letter had been sent early in the week of our vacation and so the marker should already be installed. "I doubt it," I said. I figured it would take them a while to install it for several reasons: 1. We didn't purchase it through the Cemetary. 2. The plots didn't originally belong to us and getting them in our name has been a lenthy on-going process. I didn't figure they'd install it w/o it being in our name. 3. They are busy like everyone else. I figured it would take weeks. I decided to run there the next morning, Sunday morning. I typically do this. It's an exact 5 mile run there and 5 miles back. The run was great. Heel hurt at first like always but then went away. I got to Griffin's grave in a great time. I felt really good. As I stopped to rest and slowly walked up the sidewalk to the beautiful area that is his resting place, I could see it. It was there.

"It's there." was all I could say. I was still breathing pretty hard from the run and I just couldn't believe the marker was there. I just didn't expect it so soon. But there it was. It's beautiful. They did a wonderful job. It has my name, Susan's name and right in the middle, Griffin's name. His name is there. I think I even said "there's his name" out loud. But I quickly thought something wonderful. The marker was there. Griffin's name was there. Even his body was there. BUT HE WASN'T THERE! I know this has been stated and it's obvious but I love any reminder of this. He wasn't looking up at me. He was looking down. The four of us went yesterday in the pouring rain and added some flowers to the new vase on the new marker. It was the first time Susan has been back and the first time the boys have been at all. They agreed the marker looks great but we talked about how it's just a reminder. It's not his final home. He's with God, safe in the arms of Jesus, waiting for his brothers and parents, having an amazing time. What a blessing!!

Speaking of Griffin.... I had someone suggest that I tweak the signoff on these posts. They very kindly suggested that I add my wife and other sons. I talked to Susan about it and I do want to do that. I hope I never implied that I don't love those three. And I wouldn't want them to ever think I don't love them just as much as I do Griffin. It's just that he's been a little special lately because he did enter and exit this world a little differently than expected. But I will change my signoff. It's time.

So back to the topic. Can I keep this going? Keep what going? This. My new life. My new relationship with God. This blog. My desire to share what God, His Son and His Spirit have done for me over the last few months. Being on fire for God. Wanting to know Him and study Him and be with Him. Can I keep that going? When I didn't post for over a week, the thought..."am I losing it?"....crossed my mind. Could I not think of anything to post on because I'm losing what I've gained? Is that was that was? Since that terrible day on March 27, I have been so much closer to God. I am learning so much about Him and my relationship with Him. There is so much I want to share and talk about. It's almost a constant euphoric feeling. I don't want to lose that. Will I? I'm afraid I might. Will it get stale? Will I run out of things to share or talk about? How can I stay on fire like I am if I live another 50 years? Anybody else worry about this? I want to keep this going always. And I plan to. I'm just wondering how exactly I'm going to do that. I think I've figured out that it's going to take effort on my part. I'm going to have to work to stay in constant contact with God. I'm going to have to continue to look for ways to serve others...look for ways to share with others.....spend as much time with God as possible....and yes, keep posting away on here. This definintely helps, but it will take so much more. But I'm not giving up. I don't want to go back to the way it was....not that it was bad....but this is so much better. So I dare say it's more than a "little Christian light". It's a fire. And I don't ever want my fire to go out. (Lev. 6:13) Help me keep it going and I'll do the same for you. Let's keep the fires strong, bright, powerful, and very easily seen by others.

I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys. (How's that?)

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Did I Leave God at the Beach?

2011-07-09T21:16:00.011-05:00

I appreciate the positive response to my last post. I didn't sleep much that night worrying that I had posted too much or maybe it was too personal to post. I guess I still worry what people think too much. I was just afraid some would find it uncomfortable or strange. I also worried that maybe it was just the grief talking and that five years from now I wouldn't feel the same, but you know, I think I will. Why in 5 years would I think it silly that I need to hear Griffin's name? I'll always want to hear his name. Even when my sadness and grief has all but gone (never fully gone of course), that won't make me not want to hear his name or remember him. So personally, I don't think it's just the grief talking, but it's truly something that will help me. Thankfully, I got some great feedback and wonderful supportive comments and they helped tremendously. Thanks to all of you who sent encouragement and especially to those of you who mentioned Griffin.

So we're back from vacation. Yes, we were on vacation. I made it pretty obvious on Facebook, but didn't want to make it too obvious on here. I mean, is there such a thing as posting too much on here? Probably so. Anyone can read this so I guess there could be some wacko out there that would read we were on vacation and seek out our house. Not that he would make away with anything of real value. Plus, my neighbor is a cop and he's mean. (Hope he's not reading.) So stay away robbers!! Actually, we're back, so ha ha...missed your chance. But we did just get back from a week in Hilton Head, SC. We LOVE it there! This is our 4th or 5th year in a row to go. I've lost count. It's just the perfect vacation spot. We have our favorite beach spot, our favorite parking spot, our favorite restaurants, activities and traditions. It's a wonderful week every year and this year was my favorite I think. I just felt more relaxed this year than I've ever felt. We had so much family bonding time, just the four of us, and it was what we needed.

One of the reasons this year was the best for me personally which is the same reason I love going to the ocean/beach each year is that it seems so easy to find God there. I know He's everywhere, with me 24/7, but it's so easy to see Him there in that beautiful setting. This year, with my stronger and new relationship with Him, it was just awesome. I really think God loves the ocean, the beach, you know...the tropical locations. I don't know about you, but it just seems it's so much easier to see him there when I look out at what He's created. The ocean, the horizon, the clouds, the sun - it's all just so beautiful and I can't help but think of Him when I look. I spent a lot of time with God this week. He talked. I talked. I woke up one morning at 6AM to go to the beach and watch the sunrise. I was so excited to get to spend an uninterrupted hour or so with him. It was PERFECT! There were clouds so the sun was a little hard to see itself, but I actually think the clouds made it even more beautiful. I really felt God with me sitting alone there on the beach. I spoke outloud to Him. I read His word allowing Him to talk back to me. I felt His Spirit guiding me and reassuring me in my spiritual walk. He spoke to me in other ways too. Wanna see? ......I took the picture below mainly for myself, but I thought I'd share it.

After I took it, I noticed something very special about the picture. Do you see it? Let me help out.

I know it's not perfect, but it's there...and I don't believe it to just be coincidence. I didn't doctor the picture at all. God was there. He showed me His love in an awesome way. He reminded me right then and there that He's in charge. He has a plan for me and I'm just along for the ride. It's so much of a bigger picture than I could ever comprehend. I love when He shows me and reminds me of this. It makes me want to shout, "His will be done!"

But here's one little thing I thought about as I was driving home today.....9 hours....uggh. It actually wasn't too bad. But I was thinking....can I get that same closeness with God that I had at the beach? Can I come home to Nashville, see my "boring" old backyard and see Him as clearly? Is the smog over Nashville going to form into a heart shape? Or did I leave God at the beach? I guess it's kindof like when you go on a spiritual retreat or camp or participate in a worship service where you get that spiritual high, but then wonder if you can keep it going. I felt the same way driving home. I was wondering if I'd see God as strong as I did that day (and frankly all week) on the beach. Well, we got home, unpacked, ate supper, and I walked outside to begin mowing what had become a jungle of a yard while we were gone. I then remembered something. Before we left for our trip, we had accidently found something in one of our trees. It was a small natural container with three small blue containers in it. So I was mowing the front yard today and it hit me. I wondered if what we had seen before we left had changed. I got off the mower and quitely and carefully checked it out. This is what I saw. I took a picture for you.

The three blue containers....a.k.a. eggs had changed. They had hatched (actually, it looks like one has yet to). There's God again! He did come home with us. He did remind me once again how powerful He is. He did show me His love once again through something so small as brand new baby birds. I showed the boys and they were amazed. It was an awesome moment as our vacation came to an end (or maybe a beginning). No, I don't need clouds or birds to see how awesome God is. I shouldn't expect things like that. But you know what....He shows me anyways. That's how big His love is for me and of course for us all. So God went on vacation with us and then He even rode along for the long trip home with us as well. He's here. He's amazing. And He's my Father. Praise God!

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

I Need a Favor

2011-07-05T20:45:00.008-05:00

Happy 4th to all. Yes, I know I'm a day late. I have been too busy havin' a blast with my awesome family. We had a great 4th yesterday. Hope your family did as well. I love the 4th. It's right in the middle of the summer when we need a holiday. There's hardly any holidays around it so we're more than due for one when it arrives. Somehow Father's Day in June and National Smores Day in August just don't cut it for big celebration days. Plus I love the pride that arises each July 4th. I also love the fireworks. I know a lot of people that say once you've seen one fireworks show, you've seen them all, and that's true to an extent. But I still love them. Each one is new and exciting to me. Saw some great ones last night. Also saw a lot of USA pride throughout the day. Made me feel like this country is one big family. Also makes me feel blessed to live here which I often take for granted.

I'm running again. Yay! Man, I've missed it. I took 2 weeks off trying to get this heel to heal. It's better but not healed, but I'm tired of waiting. It only hurts in the morning. And when I put pressure on it. And when I step on it wrong. And....nevermind. It is better than it was. I'm hoping it will eventually and gradually just get back to normal. But I've run 4 days now including 10 on Sunday. Felt great. Hot, but great. I had to start back at some point. I'm going to have to keep up with some much younger and much more in shape (I hope) Cross Country runners in just a few weeks. Can't wait!

So I need a favor. From you. Yes you. You reading this. Not that we deserve anything else. Since our family experienced the tragedy of losing our son, Griffin a little more than 3 months ago, we have been given so much. There has been so much outpouring of love, prayers, thoughts, kind words, gifts (amazing gifts), generosity, and care. And it continues! We are still remembered often with all of the above. God has truly shown us how blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends. From church friends to school friends to Facebook friends to neighborhood friends to longtime friends to life-long friends and of course to family, we are so blessed and we wish we could do something to thank each of you personally. But we can't. The only thing we can do is pray for you all and return the favor if you ever have a need. And we hope and pray you would let us know if you ever need anything from us. So I hate to personally ask for another favor, but I really think I need this. If possible. What do I need? I need to always hear his name.

Griffin.

Maybe I'm crazy...again (stating the obvious) and maybe this is just my weird thing, but it scares me a little. And I'm not accusing anyone of doing anything wrong. But here's an example.....I put up a picture today on Facebook of our family on the 4th yesterday (the one seen here). We immediately got several comments about what a great looking family we have. And I agree. Except for the tall guy with a big nose, our family looks pretty good. At least I think so. But I couldn't help but think how much better it might look with a little baby boy in the picture. And I don't mean to say I'm angry at the comments that were made. They were so kind and thoughtful. For some reason, it just made me think about Griffin too. I'm sorry. I don't want to dwell on this loss. I don't want to keep bringing up something sad. I'm not trying to get more sympathy or anyone to feel sorry for me or my family. So like most things on here, I had mixed feelings about posting anything about this. I promise this is not to dwell on a sad situation. If it makes you sad, I'm sorry. I truly am. But to be honest, I do still get sad sometimes. I hope that's ok. I'm pretty sure it is. I'm sad for us. I'm sad for me. I'm not sad for Griffin. I'm happy for him. It's a selfish sad. And please believe that I'm happy more often than sad because it's true. Seriously. But even though Griffin is in Heaven and that makes me so happy and it has brought me so close to God, I can't help but think what it would be like if he were in that picture. What would our lives be like right now if he were here on Earth instead of in Heaven? So maybe we do have a good looking family, but wouldn't the picture look so much better with my 3rd son in it? I'm just scared that he'll one day be forgotten.

Maybe this is a normal fear. But here's how real it is. He's my Facebook profile picture. Griffin and me. I love the picture. But I have typically changed pictures every so often. However, I'm scared to change this one. I have a great picture I'd like to replace it with and almost did the other day, but I got scared. What if I remove the picture and he's forgotten? I can't bring myself to change it. Not yet. I also considered changing how I sign these posts. "I love Griffin. I love God." Is it getting old? I questioned myself. But I don't think I'll change it. I need to keep posting his name. So I'm just letting you know of my fear. Maybe it's irrational and a little dramatic, but it's there. So back to the "favor" I need......if you feel comfortable, I'd love to hear his name. When you make comments or send kind emails, use it. In 5 years, I'd love to hear "Can't wait to see Griffin" or "Bet Griffin is having a great time right now" or even as simple as "I haven't forgotten Griffin." It won't make me sad or uncomfortable. It'll make me happy. I like to hear it. It keeps him from being forgotten. At least in my mind.

So feel free to use his name if you can. Always. Forever. No problem if you can't, feel uncomfortable or don't want to. But he had one. He was a person. He was our son. And always will be. I believe he's in Heaven waiting and even watching and listening when God allows. We won't forget his name. Please don't forget it either.

And once again....2 words that could never, ever be enough....Thank You!

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

How Much is Too Much?

2011-06-29T07:21:00.008-05:00

I'm having some weird dreams. I don't know why, but lately I've been having very long, very detailed dreams. I've always dreamed, but they seem to be so vivid and involved lately. Not sure why. Last night I dreamed that I was helping to make a commercial or advertisement of some sort. I was the camera man and my friends and all were participating in some type of contest. Our video was really good, but way too long and involved (just like the dream). I also dreamed that I broke the law with some friends. I can't remember now what we did but we were running from the police. We got caught and one at a time got arrested. I remember feeling so disappointed in myself but also relieved to have been caught and free of the guilt. Now, let me assure you that I have NOT broken the law and have no plans too. And I don't feel guilty about anything at the moment. So what does it mean? Why are my dreams so vivid lately? Just curious. Anybody else have weird dreams?

My boys are changing. They are growing up quick. They are now 9 and 7. My oldest, Carter is growing taller as we speak. I could tell he was getting taller and several have commented the same. Apparently he's going through a growth spurt. He's very excited about it. I have mixed emotions. If he gets taller than me, I may have an issue. My youngest, Max is not growing taller but he's just growing more rebellious. He doesn't want to cut his hair. He's Samson apparently. We told him that we're going to the beach soon and it's going to be hot, but he still doesn't want it cut. We've agreed he can keep it long through the summer, but he's beginning to look a little Fabioish. He also has 4 tatoos. They are stick-on or wet-on or whatever, but he wanted to be like the big boys on the mission trip last week and put on tatoos (thanks big boys!). Actually, he's always liked those things. Last night, he had a basetball game and so he had on his tank-top style jersey. When I asked him if he wanted to wear a shirt under it so nobody would see his tatoos, he said, "No, I want them to be seen so I can look like real basketball players." Great! My little Rapunzel also wants to express his body-art. When did I lose him?

I want to go to Heaven. Have I mentioned that on here? Maybe once or twice. After all, it's the theme of this whole blog. But I really want to go. Like, I can't wait. My wife posted on her FB page a note last week. I read it while I was on my mission trip. It was beautiful, heartfelt and I loved it. I told her how much I enjoyed it. But I did slightly disagree with a point she made and we had a good discussion about it. We are waiting on the grave marker for Griffin to be made. It will be a triple marker with all 3 of our names on it. Susan mentioned that she doesn't want to see her name. She doesn't want to be reminded of her own death. She wants to live a long life watching her boys grow up. I understand. There is a part of me that feels the same. It can be very gloomy and depressing to think of your own death. And I also want to see my boys grow up. I want to hold my grandchildren one day. I want to continue to experience life with Susan and grow old with her. But....and let me just stop here and say that what I'm about to say may sound really weird and abnormal. Maybe it is. Maybe I'm crazy or irrational. But this is how I'm feeling. The thing is.....there is another part of me that doesn't want that stuff at all. There is a part of me that is ready to die.

I won't mind seeing my name on that grave marker. For me, it will just remind me that this life is only temporary. This world with it's fears, worries, troubles, tragedies, and death will be over soon and forever will begin. Maybe part of it is because we lost Griffin, but I'm ready for that forever. I know I'm going so I want it to start. I honestly wouldn't mind if my life ended tomorrow. I can't wait for Heaven. Now, is that too much? How much is too much? I don't want to be selfish. I don't want my family to grieve. I know my boys need their dad and trust me, I'm not suicidal or anything like that. I don't want to leave my boys or my wife, but if that's God's plan for me...to leave tomorrow....I'm ready for it. I'll trust Him that when it's time...it's time. And I honestly don't care when that is. So I've recently been asking God and myself...is there such a thing as wanting Heaven too much? Should I be having these thoughts and feeling this way? Should I ask God to come soon or even to take me soon as I've prayed a few times. Maybe I'm wrong, but again, it's how I feel.

I don't know what my life holds. I don't know how long I'll live. If I had to guess, I'd say that I'll live for a long time....80 or 90 years. I'll watch my sons get older. I'll watch their children and maybe their children. And that's fine with me. That would be a wonderful blessing from God. But I'm also fine if it all ends tomorrow. I'm so excited and ready for Heaven to begin anytime. I want to see my Griffin again. I want to hold him. But most of all, I want to see my Father, my God, my Lord, my Savior, my Jesus. I want to talk to Jesus and touch his nail-scarred hands. I want to sing praises to God while I look upon His face. I want to hold Griffin in my lap while I do so. I want that so badly. Is that too much? I hope not.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Practice Makes Perfect

2011-06-27T13:19:00.003-05:00

I'm home. Back from Heaven. Back from the Raddison. Back to my normal house with a regular mattress (and I don't even get a bed to myself....there's some girl there who says she's my "wife") , a regular breakfast (actually no breakfast - by choice), no fitness center, no big bucket of snacks, no giant TV, and no perfect shower. I'm home. And I love it. :) ............It was so nice to get back home to Susan and Carter. I really missed them. Yes, it was nice to have a taste of luxury for a few days, but it wouldn't be special if I had it all the time. I'll take my home over anywhere else. Every time!

So you may notice over there that I didn't run at all last week. I haven't run in almost 2 weeks. My heel is just too sore. It's healing....I think.....but very slowly. I have been doing the stationary bike and mainly the Elliptical machine instead. I'm actually enjoying those. But I do want to get back to running....eventually.....when I have no heel pain. I've also been playing tennis some lately. Yep....tennis! Susan had some friends encourage her to begin playing and so we've kind of taken it up as a family. I'm loving that too. Susan and I used to play a little when we first got married but we haven't played since....10 years ago. Needless to say, we're a little rusty but it's still fun and quite a workout.

Speaking of workouts, I am about to begin my 2nd season as head coach of the Cross Country team at the school where I teach. I'm very excited. I have 28 boys and 16 girls signed up as of today. TSSAA rules prohibit me from coaching them until the end of July. I sent them a letter advising them what to do and encouraged them to train in groups this summer if possible. I also put my seniors (all 3 of them) in charge of leading the practices and encouraging them to participate. My seniors have done a great job. They've created a Facebook group and the team is communicating pretty well. However, after talking to one of my seniors, I have been told that it has been pretty difficult to get a lot of the team to respond and practice with the group. Only a faithful few have been there every day. Most have excuses, trips, camps, work, or TV watchin' to do. This is not a new problem. Getting these kids motivated to run is like getting a cat in a bathtub. Once we start the season and the official workouts begin, then they run. They have to. They're being watched. But it's pretty easy to tell who has been running during the summer and who hasn't. Some of them just don't get it that practice indeed does make perfect. They also don't understand that you can't get results, especially good results if you don't put the practice time in. That goes for anything in life, even our spiritual life.

While I didn't invent the saying "practice makes perfect," it's not entirely true. We can never be perfect at anything. Nobody is perfect. We can always get better whether it's a physical activity or sport, a mental challenge or excercise, or even in our spiritual walk. We'll never be perfect.....on this Earth that is. Practice DOES make perfect when we leave this life. Heaven is perfect. Last night at church, we had a singing and I was so excited to find out that most of the songs seemed to be about Heaven. I know worship isn't for me, but I do love singing songs about Heaven. I get so excited thinking about it and I can't wait to go (as I've mentioned many times). It's so wonderful to think about a perfect place with no worries, sadness, troubles, sin, or temptation. But here's the thing....it takes practice too. Some people want Heaven without the practice it takes, but it doesn't work like that. God didn't design it like that. We have to practice to get the perfection of Heaven. We have to follow God. We have to give our lives to Him. We have to keep our relationship wtih Him strong. We have to abstain from sin or anything that keeps us away from God. We have to practice those things throughout our lives if we want the "perfect." I want it. How about you?

Luckily, I have enough runners that will put in the work. They'll get it together and we'll have a good season. But I wish all my runners would put in the practice necessary so they could get as close to perfect this season as possible. But more than that.....if they don't run one minute this summer....my prayer is that they practice for Heaven every day. And they'll know that I want that from them.

So I encourage you to put in the practice. And please pray and encourage me to do the same.

See you in Perfect.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Just Wait!

2011-06-23T07:37:00.005-05:00

Still in Heaven here....a.k.a.....Raddison. Only one more night. How will I be able to leave? When you've found paradise, how can you possibly go back to normal? Actually, I'm being a little dramatic. I miss my wife and son a lot!! And I can't wait to see them. It's been a good trip here in Durham, NC, but home is always a great place to go back to. I've really enjoyed using the Fitness room here at the Raddison. It's very nice. I've been doing 2-a-days. It really makes me want to join a gym of some sort. I'll have to talk to the wife about that one. Max has really enjoyed being here too. He told me yesterday that he really loves the church here and when I asked why, he said because they have the softest carpet to run around on. He told me our carpet at our own church is too hard. I'll have to talk to the elders about that. Glad he loves being here for the right reasons. :)

Today we visit Duke University. Excited about that. Get to see the famous gardens, chapel, the football stadium and the baseketball gym. Really excited about that one. We also get to go to a Ronald McDonald House....not for lunch, well maybe....but one of their places of service. I've certainly heard of them, but ashamed to say I've never been to one. We are supposed to visit with some who are there as well as do some work such as cleaning and possibly baking. Think I'll stick to cleaning. Actually, the Ronald McDonald House has led me to a race in the fall. I've committed to running a 5K for the charity in September. For now, that's my only race on the agenda. I'm excited to have something out there.

I've got a weakness. Actually I have several but we don't have to get to them all today. But I have one that became evident to me recently. I'm impatient. When I get my mind set on something, I want to get it done now. Or if I have a question or want to know some information, I have to find it out now or as soon as humanly possible. I struggle sometimes with decisions. Even as I type this, there are things that I along with my wife and family are trying to decide. I've learned to talk to God and ask Him to lead me in the right direction. In years past, I would just go with how I felt. I would make decisions quickly and often without prayer. Now I definitely discuss major decisions with God. I want Him to guide me. I know He ultimately lets me choose, but I still need His help to see every angle and consider the consequences of both possiblities. And I want every decision to lead me closer to God, not further away. But what I recently realized is that I don't want to wait on God's decision or guidance. I want God to choose A or B. I want Him to just say, "Albert, you should pick this." I want the answer now. That's not how I should be.

I think there is a very good reason that PATIENCE is a fruit of the Spirit. It's something we need the Spirit to give us. We often talk about the "peace that passes all understanding." I received that from the Spirit after Griffin's death. There's no way I could've made it without that peace. But while I still need that, now my prayer is for the patience that passes understanding. That has to exist as well, right? I'm asking God for the patience of the Holy Spirit today. I need to understand that God answers all my prayers but according to His plan and on His time. And He might have an answer I'm not even thinking of. He may have a total different direction He wants me to go that's much much better. I realize that I can't understand every decision God has for me or why things happen the way they do. The Bible says that just as the Heavens are above the Earth, so is God above me. I could never understand how He thinks and operates. I could never understand His plan. So I trust in Him to lead me to what's best on his own time, NOT ON MINE. This is something I'll have to continue to work on and talk to God about. But I know it's what He wants me to understand. I'm thankful that He's taught me this recently.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

The Line

2011-06-20T23:33:00.000-05:00

I am in Heaven! Well, actually not yet but I'm pretty sure I'm in the closest thing this side of the real Heaven. I'm in a Raddison. The hotel. And it's U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E! Max and I are on a church mission trip this week in Durham, NC and somehow we got a really good deal at a Raddison hotel. Not only that, but the church here and the Raddison apparently were so excited we were coming that they've gone all out. Here are just a few of the fine amenities we are enjoying (compared with some of the slightly less than fine amenities of the past on this mission trip in our Super 8 hotel when we went to Black Mt., NC)

1. Huge buffet breakfast every morning/no charge - tip even taken care of. We're talking sit-down service with waiters in tuxes. Tuxes! (At the Super 8, it was a bag of bread and some cereal that I'm pretty sure was made in the 80's. And tuxes? I don't think so. You just hoped the food got replenished by someone wearing appropriate clothing.)

2. Sleep Number beds!! Let me say it again.....Sleep Number Beds. Like you get to pick your number. The bed moves. It inflates. It deflates. It's incredible. My number is 45 for those interested. Max has half his bed on 5 and half on 15. Dont ask. (At the Super 8, it was regular mattresses and they were only deflated, not inflated.)

3. When we arrived, the church had arranged for these huge buckets to be sitting in our rooms full of candy, chips, gum, snacks with 12 canned soft drinks as well. At first I told Max to stay away...those things will be $10 each. But NO, they are free. As in no charge. Arranged by the hotel and church. (The Super 8 had ice buckets.)

4. I could live in the shower. It is by far the BEST shower I've ever been in as far as pressure and comfort. When I went to turn off Max's shower this morning because he said he was finished, he was sitting on the ground in the shower just getting drenched and loving it. I understood. It's that good. (The Super 8 had a shower at one point but time had taken its toll and the water wouldn't quite all make it to the shower portion. It was now a half bath, half shower. It was a bower.)

5. Huge fitness room. I spent an hour in there this morning. I'm not going to run at all this week. I'm just going to go to this room. HDTV's at every machine. (The Super 8 had a fitness room, but there was a guy named Bubba standing in front of it. He was 350 pounds and said "Get Out of Here!" every time you came near.)

6. Huge flat screen TV's in the room....that I'm not using, sweet wife who's reading this. (The Super 8 had a big window in your room and there was more action outside than would ever be on any TV show.)

7. USA Today on the floor under our door each morning. Love that. (The Super 8 had sour milk on the floor each morning which smelled up our room all week. Not kidding.)

I could go on but I don't want to brag or anything. Actually, I guess I do a little. Let's just say it's a little nicer than the Super 8 where we've stayed the last 10 years. In fact, if this hotel is Heaven, then the Super 8....well, I won't go there. (I have to say that we loved Black Mountain, the place and the people and the experience, but the hotel was just another story.) When we get home, I'm going to ask Susan if we can sell our house and move to a Raddison. Oh yeah, I think we're going to do some mission work while we're here too. :)

By the way, meant to talk about the hail in my last post. The biggest hail I've ever seen in all my life. I was at church last Thursday working and I knew it was about to storm, but then I heard what sounded like gunshots on our roof. I ran to the window to see that it was hailing. Small at first but it gradually got bigger and bigger. When it reached golf ball, I was already thinking that it was the biggest I've ever seen. But then it got even bigger. I kid you not I saw 3-4 pieces that were BASEBALL size. We all stood at the glass doors of the church watching. I was amazed and awed by the size and power of the storm but at the same time I was looking at my car and thinking....'this is gonna leave a mark'. It did. Several marks. And a shattered sun roof. My car will be in the shop for 6 weeks. 6 weeks! Apparently they are backed up. But it was an awesome storm. One I'll never forget. God is so amazing and I'll take a busted car to see His power, might, and control.

So yesterday when we arrived at the Durham church, we began with class time together. The teacher of the adult/teen class was a very nice man named Mike. I have gotten to know him best this week and have really enjoyed his kindness and conversation. He's very funny and animated, but also very serious in his discussion and easy to talk to. He did a great job with class, was very easy to follow and had a very interesting topic. I agreed with most everything he said and appreciate the time he put into the class. But he made a point that made me think and I'm not sure I agreed with his viewpoint on this one item. His topic was "Worship"...what is it and what should it be? This is a touchy subject sometimes I know, but I find myself exploring it pretty hard as I don't think I've ever done it correctly. I've definitely been getting so much more out of worship and giving so much more to God lately than I ever have, but I still want to improve. Anyways, at one point, Mike was talking about how we typically in our churches don't want to be too showy or try to entertain or try to push the line and cross into pleasing people instead of pleasing God in our worship. I agree with that. But another gentleman spoke up and said something along the lines of.....but don't we sometimes go too far the other way. Don't we sometimes worry so much about "doing things wrong" or "being too showy" or "offending others" that we don't give God enough and we hold back what we could be giving to Him? I thought this was an excellent question and was a little disappointed when our teacher polietly brushed it off saying he didn't want to discuss it. The only thing he did say was that if the line is there (pointing on the ground), I tend to want to stay way back here and not even approach the line. This is what I disagree with.

Personally, and some may disagree (I'm sortof waiting for some disagreement and good discussion.....one of these days. :), I think we often worry too much about the "rules". We don't like change and don't want to do anything different than what has been done for so many years. And while I agree 100% that we need to worship the way God wants and instructs in His Word, I think there are many ways to do that and we don't have to worry so much about how others do it and offending too many people. Now I realize the Bible also says not to offend, but here's the bottom line.... Worship serves 2 purposes in my mind. 1 - to glorify God and 2 - to grow closer to God ourselves and strengthen our relationship with Him as we pay Him His due reverence and honor. There is no purpose that we are to please ourselves or to make us happy. If it offends, maybe we're focusing too much on what we want and not enough on God. There is nothing wrong with change as long as it follows His guidelines. I don't think it's wrong to approach and explore the line. I just don't want to live my life "being scared" of offending and worrying about whether it's right or wrong, offensive or non-offensive. I just want to worship God. I don't believe any church has it exactly right. But arguing about it isn't right just as much as refusing to discuss it isn't right either. Sorry - this is very jumbled and probably doesn't make sense. I know. But my main point is that for too long, I and I tend to think many others have worshipped in fear, worrying about things that just don't matter. This is just my opinion and I need to explore it some more. Like I said, it's something I've really been focusing on lately as my relationship with God has changed for the better. I'll continue to think and pray on it and may come back with a follow up later. That's all for now.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

I've Got the JYO?

2011-06-17T09:17:00.004-05:00

I just rearranged my office. The one at church. Not the one at school. Although that's on the summer agenda. It'll take a week. It's a mess. This one only took a few hours. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself. Now I guess I should do some work in it. But I'm enjoying just sitting here looking at it right now. It's nice to change things up every once in a while. Get a fresh start. Maybe that's true in some areas of life too.

I haven't run much at all this week. Only 8 miles. I've been trying to heal my heel. I plan on doing about 5 tonight but that'll be it for the week. I'm also going to take it easy next week as I'll be on a mission trip. Hopefully the two light weeks will help. It's still pretty sore. Still trying to lose a little weight but it's hard when I'm not running. Always trying to eat better but that's a challenge. We seem to eat out more in the summer and eating healthy is something I always say I'll do when I'm not hungry but when it's meal time, I'm all about the carbs. I did eat blueberries yesterday for the first time ever (not in a muffin). Not too bad. Heard they're pretty healthy. I love strawberries and spinach. Heard those are good too. But part of me likes eating what I want to eat. That's one of the reasons I run....so I can eat!

I'm remembering a lesson and song from my childhood. I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Remember the lesson you also heard as a kid about JOY...how it stands for Jesus, Others, Yourself.... That's where our priorities should be. While that's true to an extent, I'd like to propose that it might should be JYO. I've got the jyo in my heart? Doesn't sound quite as good. But here's my reason....For so long in my relationship with God, that's how I've lived my life. I've always tried to put God and Jesus first which is where they should be. But after that, I've tried to please others. I've tried to make others happy. I've worried about what others think. I've put others second, just like the lesson. And while that's probably normal for a lot of people and good in some ways, I've often forgot about myself. I've never really focused on myself and my own relationship with God before. At least not to the extent I've been doing in the last few months. Ever since Griffin died, I've been taking a lot more alone time with God to build our relationship, to discover his plans for me, to get to know Him, His son, and the Spirit, to find out who I am, what God expects, and where I'm going. I'm getting to the point now where I personally think it's more important to get one's own life right with God FIRST before going out and spreading it to others. How can we tell others about God and what He can do for them when we don't even know ourselves? How can we share with others about the relationship they can have with God when our relationship with Him is less than strong? If I can get my relationship with God to a healthy status, then I can spread it to others. And actually, when I do get to that point, I will naturally affect and influence others and everything will fall into place.

Once again, God reassured me in this point. I was already planning to write about this and I just "happened" to read something along these lines. God is amazing! Here's how He spoke to me this morning.... I'm still reading the book "Grieving the Child I Never Knew" and the devo. this morning was called "It's Pitcher Filling Time". The author talked about that in her own grief, she was so worried about others: family, friends with needs, job, activities, etc....that she forgot to take time for herself. She forgot to fill her own pitcher so that she would be able to pour it out on others. Now she was approaching it from the standpoint of taking time for one's self to relax, read, study, pray, do activities she enjoys and those are all good and important. But I am just focusing solely on getting myself right with God first, before trying to teach and affect others.

By the way - it's working. These last few months have been such a mix of emotion. Sad for obvious reasons, but so happy in the fact at the good that has come. I have never felt closer to God and it's because I'm taking the time to focus on Him. I'm seeking Him and what He wants. I'll never stop doing this. But now that I feel at a better place, I am starting to feel ready to move on to the O of JYO. This is why I enjoyed last Saturday (FaithWorks) so much. This is why I posted last time that I do want to be used more. I feel good with God and I want to share it. So go ahead. Put Yourself 2nd. Then put others 3rd.

Maybe it SHOULD be JYO? What do you think?

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

FaithWorks

2011-06-15T14:54:00.001-05:00

Click HERE for pictures of the FaithWorks day I talked about in the last post. Especially check out the muscular fellow laying sod in the orange hat in picture #18. :)

Where Should I Scatter?

2011-06-14T09:14:00.003-05:00

My youngest boy is 7 today. I can't believe he's seven years old. Wasn't he born just a couple of years ago? How can he be 7!?!? I still think of him as my baby boy a lot of the time. I know, I know, I gotta quit that one of these days. Maybe when he's 18. In all seriousness, Max is a true joy and I am so honored and blessed to be his dad. Nobody makes me laugh like Max. He's also a hard worker and has a very caring, Christian heart. Just like his mom. Happy Birthday to Max!

My heel hurts. Lately, I've had a pretty bad pain in my left heel, especially when I wake up in the morning. It's hard to even walk on it then. How many times have I had a pain like this that hurts in the morning and goes away as the day continues? Lots. It's never been the heel before though. The pain does subside when walking, but if I put pressure on it, I can feel it. When I run, it hurts a little at first but then goes away. I didn't do a long run this past weekend b/c of it. I am trying to give it some time to get better, but hate to let up on too much running. I'm finally starting to get my running back where I want it. But I hope it heels soon. Ha! You knew that was coming.

So this past Saturday, I experienced something truly wonderful. It was one of those days that I won't forget for many reasons, not the least of which in how it strengthened my spiritual life. So I'd like to share it. There is a wonderful man at our church that has recently begun organizing a group called FaithWorks. It is simply offering volunteer work for someone that has a need. There have been several "FaithWork" days here in the last several months, but I've never been able to participate due to conflicts. Saturday, I had a conflict, but my loving wife took care of it for me so I could get involved for the first time. The plan was to meet in Murfreesboro at a church family's house to assist with their landscaping. Their home had been completely destroyed by a 2009 tornado and they have struggled a lot with getting their new house built (Insurance, etc. uggggh!) Landscaping, needless to say, was way down on their to-do list so it was decided to help them out with this service day. A simple email was sent asking for any volunteers to assist. I had no idea what to expect, but I honestly thought maybe 20 people would be there. There were over 70 people there!! Men, women, and children. Our job was to sod their entire yard and to plant bushes/flowers all around the front and sides of the house. We got it all done in around 3 hours. The yard was completely transformed quicker than you could imagine. The dedication everyone gave and the sheer speed of everyone's work was simply amazing. It was probably a "you had to be there to understand it" kind of thing, but I'll just say it was wonderful. It was God at work and I was so proud of my church, my friends, my brothers and sisters. It definitely made me want to do more things just like that as it gave me a spiritual boost.

That leads me to my question above. Where should I scatter? Our Summer Series speaker last Wednesday spoke on the parable of the Sower. It was a great lesson and one of his points was that the sower had little regard for where he spread the seed. He spread it everywhere. He spread it on good ground, rocky ground, traveled ground, etc. He just scattered seed not caring where it went. We are called to do the same. We need to be scattering God's Word and His message ALL OVER. We don't need to just pick those people we are comfortable talking to. We need to get out of our comfort zone and share with all types of people. Mark 16:15 says preach to "every creature" or "all creation". It doesn't say to just talk to those you know or like. We are often told to spread God's Word every day in our workplace. My excuse has always been (and still is sometimes) that I work at a Christian school and I work part-time at our church. Who in the world do I need to spread God's Word to? Everyone I work with is a Christian and a believer in Jesus Christ. Many of them are even further along in their spiritual life that me. So who do I scatter my seed to? That's a real issue for me.

I'm simply sharing today that I want to do more. I want to lead and serve and help and teach and bring others to God. I want to tell the wonderful story of Jesus to other people and how God has changed my life, especially in the recent months. But I struggle with how to do that. I don't want to get in a routine of just doing what I'm doing. I don't want to be satisfied with my life just because basically I'm a good person and a good example. That's not enough! I want to take it a step further and make a difference. I want to be like Jesus. I want to scatter my seed somewhere I've never scattered before. I am so impressed and slightly jealous of my brother who started these FaithWorks days. That is scattering seed and being the servant we are called to be. I'm thrilled to be a part, but I want to do more. My prayer to God today is that he give me more opportunities to serve, more chances to tell others about Him. This is what we are all called to do and I confess I need God's help to lead me in that direction.

You may choose to ask God the same. Where is He leading you? What is He calling you to do? Are you listening....answering....following?

I'm asking myself these same questions.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

A Bottle To Chew On

2011-06-11T07:07:00.002-05:00

I got my first swim yesterday in our sweet and non-attractive pool. It was wonderful. Felt so good after working in the yard all morning. Then I laid on our deck and just soaked up a little sun. I love summer and everything about it. I get to be with my wife and boys. I get to work outside. I get to cool off in a redneck but effective pool whenever needed. I'm definitely a summer over winter kind of guy. So many more benefits of summer. Yes, it's hot, but so what. I would much rather be hot than cold. Except while sleeping. Then I'm the opposite. I love getting under the covers on cold winter nights. Ok, enough season/temperature talk. On to more important news....

The fish are dead. Yep.....dead. As in floating on top of the water. They're gone. Flipper Lipscomb Thweatt and Swimmer Griffin Thweatt went to that big bowl in the sky Thursday. The same brand new fish I posted about just two posts ago. The same fish we were given at the carnival/fair about a week ago. The same fish that we went all over town looking for a bowl for. And the same fish I was sure Susan would eventually grow to love them. Well, I don't think she will anymore because she didn't have time! They're dead! Isn't there a week warranty on these things or something? I was just starting to get attached. Their stinkin' food container is still completely full! What kind of pet lives a week???? The answer.....fish from a carnival. Oh well. The boys were fine. When Susan told them, Max wanted to see them dead and Carter asked if we could now get a ferret. True story. We're not getting a ferret and we're going to wait on more fish. Maybe at the end of the summer. The boys didn't care. Susan and I were taking care of them anyways....well for the 7 days we did. So allow me a brief eulogy......So long Flipper and Swimmer. Thanks for touching our lives for those couple of minutes or so. I'll always remember the times we had together, you know like when I fed you those 2 times and when I changed your water once. Oh yeah and that time that Flipper looked at me and then swam away. That was great. May you rest in peace on the train tracks behind our house where I threw you. And may your bowl finally dry out in the sun and be rid of that smell. You guys stunk. But you lived a nice, short life as a prize at a carnival. Oh the stories you could tell, if you could remember them.

Ok, enough of that. On to the topic at hand. I'm a runner. I exercise regularly. And I would love to say that I also eat healthy on a regular basis. But that would be a lie and I try really hard not to do that. I do, as a runner, try to drink a lot of water especially with these hot summer days. However, I've never been too big of a water drinker. I can drink it with meals if I have to and after runs of course, but to just drink it....when I'm not really thirsty.....not so easy. That is until about 2 months ago when I noticed that a bunch of my students were bringing water bottles to class. It was a lot more than usual and not only were they drinking from them, they were chewing on them....and sucking on them....and enjoying them a little more than I've ever seen. So I had to ask about them. It was a little distracting to see such affection for a water bottle. The answer.....Camelbak. Anyone else have one? I asked one of my students and he told me they were great. "Mr. Thweatt, they force you to drink water. I've drank 3 bottle fulls today!" To bad it didn't help him with his English. But I asked him why and he told me about the special rubber tips. He said you have to bite them open to drink and they are fun to chew on. O......K...... I thought it was a little strange at first, but then I thought 'I need to get me one of those' I am always needing to drink more water and if it "forces" you.......plus I like chewing on things even though I'm 35 years old. So I gave in and bought myself a Camelbak water bottle. And I love it. It IS a fun water bottle. And I am findiing myself drinking more. I try to keep the chewing to a minimum.

The point is....I had to have one just because all my students had one. I had to try it for myself. I find myself getting caught up in that sometimes. I want to have what everyone else has. I want my own. I want to show it off a little bit. I could talk about materialism, but I won't. I would rather talk about being the same versus being different. I often want to be like everyone else. I want to wear the same clothes or buy the same running shoes or the same chewy water bottles. But when it comes to my relationship with God, I want to be different.

With God, I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to stand out so that people want to be like me. I don't know who bought the very first Camelbak water bottle, but it started a chain and everyone wanted to be like that person. I want to do the same in my spiritual life. I want to be an example that others want to follow. I want to be so on fire for God and so open and honest in my relationship that others take notice and maybe even say, "He's different." No, I don't want to show off or seem any better than anyone else, but I do want to lead others closer to God. That's what we're all called to do.

So it's ok to want to be like someone else in some ways. We all have people we look up to or want to follow. It's ok to buy a water bottle just to be like others, even sixth graders. But when it comes to God, start your own trend. Be a leader, not a follower. There are many great Christian examples you can look toward, but in the end, be your own servant for Christ. Be different. My prayer for God today is for Him to give me more opportunities to teach others....more people to lead.....give me a different and special relationship wtih Him so others see and want to be a part. I want to start a revival with the saved and evangelize the lost at the same time. Anyone care to join me? There's nothing to chew on, but it will "force" you on that narrow path to Heaven. Sounds good to me.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Geocash...Geocech....Geocache......Looking for Hidden Treasure

2011-06-09T09:22:00.003-05:00

It's hot and you need a pool! Gotta love those old Watson's commercials. Anyone else remember those? The truth is... It IS hot and so we put out our pool. Last year we bought one of those cheap, above-ground, slightly redneck (who am I kidding? Very redneck) pools. And we LOVE it. We don't care. It's too hot to care how unattractive and Sanford and Son it might look. Yesterday was opening day. We had a mini-celebration ceremony and the boys jumped in. It's perfect. For now. Last year, we had great luck at the beginning of the summer but as the summer wore on, and we were gone for missions or vacation, the pool suffered. It got cloudy beyond repair. It was pretty much a swamp by August. I'm going to really try to keep it looking purty longer this year. There is only one week (not 3 like last summer) where we will all be gone on vacation (and I'm not telling when that is due to all the robbers and theives that read this blog). Otherwise, someone will always be at our house so hopefully we can keep it looking nice. I can't wait for my first swim.

Had a great 4-mile run last night. It's still hot around 9PM but doable. It felt good and then I enjoyed cooling down by sitting on our deck and just talking with Susan. I love Summer nights. Susan has been doing great with her walking. She has gotten up at 6AM every morning to walk. I couldn't do it. I like my sleeping in too much. She walked 6 miles this morning. Very proud of her. She's a trooper.

So last week we hear about this new thing called Geocaching. Maybe it's not new. Maybe it's been around a while, but it's new to us. We have some friends who do it all the time and they introduced it to us. There's a website (Geocaching.com) where you can type in your zip code and get clues, including coordinates, to hidden treasures. Now, when I say "treasures" I just mean a random item you are looking for, not gold and jewels. You use your GPS device, plug in the coordinates and go a-looking. We decided to try it. We found on that was titled "Overton" which we assumed was Overton High School. When we read the clue, we realized it was Overton Road which is very close to us. We plugged in the coordinates and went for a drive. It led us to this gate on Overton Road that is at the entrance to the huge electrical towers/radiated horses field. We started looking around this gate for treasure. I'll admit I wasn't as into it as my family. I didn't even know what I was looking for and felt kindof silly looking around this random gate. Then I heard it. "I found it!"

It was Susan and she was holding it. It was a screw. Yep, that's it. A screw. Like a bolt. Like a thing you put wood together with. She had a huge smile on her face and was holding a bolt. The boys were all excited saying "let me see it". Did I miss something here? When did a bolt become exciting? And why is this treasure a bolt. So here's my family jumping up and down holding up a big screw and I'm off to the side trying to find the hidden cameras from the "Candid Camera" show that went off the air about 30 years ago. "That's it?" I said. My wife then explained how she knew that was it because this bolt was attached to the gate with a very small magnet which we then found. "O........K.......," I slowly said. We had also been told by our friends that if you unscrewed the top of the bolt, you would find a piece of paper. Say what? That bolt is too small for paper inside. But it was true. We took off the top and extracted a very small piece of paper that had last names on it. These people had all found the "treasure" and written their name. So we wrote ours as well. Now I have to admit that part was pretty cool. I started liking this "Geocaching" a little more. Apparently they are all over Nashville and some are boxes, cans, containers, screws, etc. But you know it when you find it. And now my family, and even me want to go look for another one. We actually did go look for one at a CVS but didn't find it. We'll try again soon.

Last week, Marlin Connelly spoke at our church. He always does a good job. He spoke on the parables of Hidden Treasure. The man finds a treasure in a field and sells everything so he can buy the field. And a merchant finds a valuable pearl and sells everything to buy it. It's fun to find hidden treasure. My boys get so excited when they find a penny on the ground. It's a real treasure to them. Apparently they also get excited to find a screw magnetized to a fence. But it was a treasure. They set out to find something and they did. It IS exciting. Heaven is a treasure. Actually it's THE treasure! It's worth more than any treasure that will ever be found here on Earth. And it's available to all of us. We don't have to look for it with coordinates or clues. We know where it is, but we do have to follow directions to get there. Bro. Connelly made the point how in these parables, these two people gave EVERYTHING away to get their treasure. How willing are we to give literally everything away? Would we give up all earthly possessions, materials, and relationships to gain the one eternal treasure?

The world was supposed to end on May 21. It didn't. Some believed it would and sold everything they had in preparation. Now, they were following a false teacher, but I have to admire their willingness to sell everything and trust in God. If I KNEW Christ was coming tomorrow, could I do the same? The truth is, I do know Christ is coming. Oh, I don't know when and nobody does, but I should be ready every second. I don't think God expects us to literally sell everything and lie in wait. But I do think he expects us to be ready at all times and never put importance on "things". Who cares how much I have or don't have here on Earth? As long as I have a strong relationship with God, I'm getting the treasure.

I can't wait for my family to huddle around Christ in Heaven (instead of a screw) and jump up and down because we found the treasure. One son already is. I'm trying my best to get myself, my wife, and my other sons there.

Feel free to join in on our jumping when you get there.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Anyone Remember Mr. Ed?

2011-06-07T08:47:00.002-05:00

I meant to include a quote I heard from a fellow teacher on my last post that had to do with Suffering. In a teachers' only chapel one day, this teacher told us she had heard the following:

"All sun and no rain makes a desert."

So simple, but so true. Sometimes we complain about the rain. It messes up plans or cancels activities. (I don't think many would complain about it right now as hot as it's been.) But the truth is, we need the rain. It would be a desert around here without it. In the same way, we need (and again - should rejoice) when we have "rainy" days in our lives....when Suffering occurs. We can't just have sunny, happy days. We need the tough times to make us long for Heaven, to make us strengthen our faith in God, and to remind us that God is in control and has a plan. So don't expect or even hope for all sunny days. It won't happen. Rejoice on rainy days.

So we now own 2 fish. I also meant to tell this story on the last post. When we went to the fair/carnival last week for the 2nd time, some boys came up to us and handed us two bags, each containing a little goldfish. They had won them in the "get-the-ping-pong-ball-in-the-bowl" game and didn't want them. They offered them to me. I made a split-second decision and took them. Then I slowly turned around to see the look on my wife's face. I knew I'd get "the look" and I did. We had talked about getting Max a fish for his birthday which is coming up because he had mentioned wanting some, but we were far from a decision or conclusion. I probably shouldn't have taken them, but my first reaction was 'wow, so easy, we don't even have to go buy any, it was meant to be, God wanted us to have fish so he sent these boys to give us 2 fish...just like in the feeding of the 5000, it's Biblical, where are the 5 loaves?' Of course, in that split second of thinking I forgot about a bowl and food and discussing proper care with Max first. But my wonderful, beautiful wife finally relented and said we could keep them. The boys were excited. So was their dad. We had to go to 3 stores that night to find a bowl. The boys immediately named them the next day with middle names and all. So now we own Flipper Lipscomb Thweatt and Swimmer Griffin Thweatt. I'm sure Griffin is smiling down and so happy that we named a goldfish after him. I think Susan secretly likes them....she just won't admit it.

Mr. Ed? The talking horse? Old school. Very old. Even too old for me. I never watched the show although I've seen a re-run or two somewhere a long time ago. That's not the Mr. Ed I'm talking about. I'm talking about a man at our church who is the most amazing servant I've ever seen.

The tornadoes recently across our country have been unbelievable. I can't believe some of the pictures and videos I've seen on the news or internet. I've always been fascinated by tornadoes and storms. I'm one of those idiots that stands at the window and watches while my more intelligent family goes to the basement like they should. I've never actually seen a tornado or experienced any damage from one, but I know those who have and I've seen damage first hand. It's terrifying and heart-breaking, and it's also one of those things where I foolishly say "it won't happen to me." Shame on me (again). It's a part of life just like any suffering. We could ask God why all day long but it's just another one of those mysteries that we're going to have to trust Him with. But back to Mr. Ed.

When the tornadoes hit Alabama and then Missouri, our church did the normal thing. We prayed. We took up a collection. What else can you do? Mr. Ed did more. He immediately went to Alabama and looked for any way he could help. He didn't hesitate. He then went to Joplin, MO to do the same. He's still there! He just forgot about anything else and went. He's now living there until his work is done. By the way, Mr. Ed is not a young man. He has grandkids. And he recently had surgery as well. But that's just him. He's always looking for ways to help, encourage and serve others. When he came to our church as a new member, we didn't have a chance to get to know him because he got to know us first. And I absolutely love talking with him. He is so kind and encouraging to me and my entire family. He is the true definition of a Christ-like servant. Mr. Ed is one of my heroes and mentors. I want to be just like him. He has the spirit of Christ inside and uses it effectively. I often get way too comfortable with my routine and feel that prayer or sending money is enough to help others. But I, like Mr. Ed, need to look for other ways to serve. What can I physically do? Who can I help? That's what Jesus did and we should all do the same. I vow today to start doing a better job of this. I use Mr. Ed and several others at our church as an example. Not because I'm hoping for a reward or "points with God", but because it's what Jesus would do. And look at the opportunities Mr. Ed has to share Christ with others while he's serving.

So thank you Mr. Ed for your example. Thank you for showing me and so many others what a true servant is. May God richly bless you and your family.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Rejoice? Really?

2011-06-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Went back to the carnival last night. Back! Did I not learn my lesson? Did I not read my last post? Am I asking myself questions? Have I lost it? Probably, but actually I did learn my lesson so I only rode one thing last night. We went back because we had a great evening with some great friends. We ate dinner and then decided to let our kids and their kids do the carnival together. However, this time, I sat out. We did have tickets for one ride left over and Max really wanted to do the bumper cars but had to have an adult. So I agreed. It was a blast. No queasiness. The bumper cars are still a go. Glad I'm not too old for those......yet.

So I've been meaning to post on this topic for a while. Not sure why I put it off. It's an important one and relates directly to our family's ordeal over the past 2 months. It's on the topic of Suffering and what God says about it.

I had never been through anything too bad. "Had" is a key word. But honestly, my life has been a pretty happy one I must say. If I think back to childhood and unhappy times, the list is pretty short. Here it is:

1. We got robbed once on vacation when I was about 5 years old. I remember my mom and sister crying. Our car had been broken into. But I was too young to really comprehend. I think they took my clothes and some of my favorite underroos, but I didn't feel like it was a big loss.

2. I was in a wreck one time when my grandfather was driving. It was a little scary because it was dark and I think rainy, but we weren't hurt and Wendys gave us free Frostys so again, not too bad to me. (side note - love Wendy's Frosty-Cino. Anyone else? So good.)

3. We ran over our cat on the way to a LU basketball game one time. That was sad. Even though the cat and I had never had a super close relationship, I hated to see it suffer.

4. I did have an incident when I was a senior in high school where 4 of my friends and I were mugged (long story) and up until a couple of months ago, that was the worst thing that had ever happened to me.

Not anymore.

But none of those, or any other event in my life were unbearable or life-changing. They were hard at the time but nothing worse than anyone had ever suffered. I even remember thinking in the past how my life was very happy and blessed and how good God was to me. And I think I got very comfortable with that and got into the mindset that 'nothing really bad will happen to me. It only happens to other people.' I should have realized my time was coming. It comes for everyone.

John 16:33 says that we will have troubles in this life.

I Peter 4:13 reads ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

I also read a passage a few weeks ago that spoke loud and clear to me.

3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. -Romans 5:3-5

Look at the first part of that passage. We should "rejoice in our sufferings"? Really? (hence the title of this post). I mean I can read the rest of it and see that it produces endurance, character, and hope. All good things. I understand that we all have to suffer, but we should rejoice? I say again....Really?

The answer is absolutely. We should rejoice. I know - much easier said than done, but here's why we should. It means God is with us. It means he is testing us. The Bible does say we will be tested. (I Peter 1:7) I honestly believe that the reason we lost our son (among other reasons) was a test. It was a test of our faith. I had never really suffered and God wanted to see how I would handle it. I hope I'm handling it well. I feel like I'm doing the best I can. I hope I'm pleasing him in my suffering and throughout my test. I realize I'm supposed to rejoice. That has taken some time but I'm there now. I do rejoice that He tested me and I hopefully passed. I do rejoice that my sufferings mean that I'm following the right path. Do I wish the suffering could've been done another way? Of course! But that's for God to decide and I accept it.

One more verse - Php. 3:10 - ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

I've heard some conflicting discussion on this passage and the song that accompanies it. Do we really want to share in his suffering or even participate? I do. If it's part of God's plan and it will lead me close to Heaven then bring it on. Not saying it's easy, but it's necessary and it's God's will. And his will is perfect. I won't question it.

So I rejoice that through my recent suffering, I have grown closer to God. I have a much deeper relationship with Him. I rejoice that He cares about me so much that he wants to test me and have me suffer just like He said He would; and that means He wants me in Heaven. He wants me to pass the test. He wants me to be like so many others that suffered for his name - Paul, Daniel, David, Peter, JESUS!

So remember this when you suffer, and you will. Most of you already have. It never ends.....until it ends forever. How I long for that great day!

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Permission to Get High

2011-06-01T22:19:00.001-05:00

Man! Talked about Hell in the last post and now telling people to "Get High". This blog may have to get a PG rating soon. But I promise it's all innocent and there is a point. Keep reading.

Just finished running 5 miles tonight and it felt great. It wasn't quite as hot tonight as it was a couple of nights ago. Ran 4 on Monday night and it was just plain hot. That was tough. Tonight, I actually thought it felt good. I've got 19 so far for the week.

Went to the carnival last night. That's right - the good ole' Cool Springs Mall parking lot carnival. We spent a couple of hours there, got the unlimited ride bracelets and rode everything. And sitting there with my family, laughing, having the time of our life, I realized something very important. I'm too old for that stuff! I got sick on the 3rd ride. And then it was downhill after that. Even the ferris wheel was making me queasy. Max begged me to ride the kiddie roller coaster with him and I reluctantly agreed. Mistake! When we made the loop, I was so happy to see the station but the coaster kept going. I almost shouted, "For Crying Out Loud, Let Me Off This Thing!" We got back to the station a 2nd time and you guessed it. 3 times! Let us off! Let others ride! I was going to jump if we went a 4th time, but luckily it stopped and I was done. For the night. Maybe forever. But I loved watching my boys ride. They had a blast. Great carnival!

So I got high today. Actually, I don't know if this counts as getting high. Here's the deal. I hate the dentist! Well, I don't actually ate the man. He's a nice guy, but I hate going to the dentist. I've always hated it. And since I've become an old adult that can't ride kiddie coasters, I hate it worse than ever. I can't stand the scraping. They usually scrape for close to an hour. Now, I know I don't have the prettiest teeth in all the land, but they can't be that bad. I brush. I'm not perfect, but they can't need that much scraping. I honestly think they scrape them down to nubs each time and then rebuild my teeth. I hate it. After last time, I told Susan that I wasn't going back to the dentist. I didn't care if I pulled a George Washington and built my teeth in our garage, but no more dentist for me. Then I heard some good friends mention how they loved the dentist because they got Nitrous Oxide (N2O) each time. Laughing Gas. The Gas! Why I have never used it is a real mystery. I think my older sister has been using it since age 4. Why was it never offered to me? So I reluctantly agreed to go back to the dentist ONLY if they used the gas. So today, I got it and HO.........LEE.........COW!!! I love it!! Is that wrong? Should I feel guilty? Well I don't care because I felt more relaxed than I think I ever have. It was such a wonderful weird feeling. I knew what was happening the whole time but I didn't care in the least. She could've pulled out all my teeth with pliers and shoved them up my nose and it would've been just fine. I honestly didn't want it to end. I was thinking 'scrape those teeth, nursey, scrape them good.' So, I don't know if that is officially "getting high" but I did feel higher than the clouds. Can't wait for 6 months!!

I think a good word to describe how I felt today was "Euphoric". Always liked that word. There have been a select few times in my life when I felt that way. Today was one. I felt so relaxed and happy and content. I've felt that way while running before. It's called "runners' high". It's when you get that 2nd wind and you can't run fast enough. It usually happens to me toward the end of a run when the finish line or my house is in sight and there's a great song playing on my IPOD. It also happened to me right before our wedding started. I remember looking in the auditorium door, seeing all our family and friends and just feeling so good. It was euphoric. It's happened a few other times, but I'll tell you when it's happened the most....with God. I love "getting high" on God.

There have been times in my life that I have felt so good and content about my relationship with God. I have felt really close to him and felt like I was doing what I was supposed to. Sometimes it happens in worship or during youth singings. Sometimes it happens when I've heard a great lesson or seen a great spiritual movie. It has also happened when I'm in my car alone, listening to a spiritual song at full blast. I love those times. As I've mentioned before, Griffin's death, although tragic, has brought me closer to God and it's given me that euphoric feeling stronger than I've ever had it. And I don't intend to let it go away. There are days when it weakens or I let something get in the way. But I'm trying really hard to keep it going. It feels really good, even better than laughing gas.

If you can develop a relationship with God like this where you feel like you are on track and doing the right thing.....where you feel like you know you are going to Heaven and you are giving your all to God....if you can get to that euphoric feeling, that's when you realize what's important. That's also when you realize the fact that God is in control and nothing else, not even teeth scraping, matters.

Find that feeling. If you have it, don't lose it. Let's all encourage each other and pray for each other to keep it and share it with others.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

P.S. Don't do real drugs.

War is ....Well, You Know

2011-05-30T06:46:00.002-05:00

29 miles last week. It's been a while since I hit that. Now granted, before my slump, I was doing over 30 every week, but I'm gradually getting back there. This week should be just as good since I have NO SCHOOL (mini-celebration dance) to worry about and I should have a little more free time. I already ran 10 yesterday before church, so we'll see if I can hit that magic 30 mark. I dreamed last night that I was running a half-marathon and was in the lead. Then I got confused and took a wrong turn and had to quickly turn around and catch up. Not sure what that means, but I could make a spiritual lesson out of it. But I won't. I've got another below.

Sooooo close. Baseball season is done. It was a GREAT season and experience. At our party Friday night, I told them team that coaching this season was a definite therapy for me and I know that God gave me this to help me get through the loss of our son. It kept me busy, focused, and happy, and I needed that. They played hard and fought like champions but we came up a little short. Saturday, we played the Rangers to get to the championship game. We made some mistakes. The other team didn't. We still only lost 10-9. Sooo close. So then we had to play the Braves to get back to the championship game. We made less mistakes and almost rallied, but they played strong and beat us 12-7. So we got third place in our division. Not bad at all. For a first time together team, I'll take it. I'm so proud of these boys and I hope I get to see them next year. I loved coaching and I plan to do it again.

So today is Memorial Day. Happy Memorial Day to you all! I've always loved this holiday....for the wrong reasons of course. I've loved it because it meant school was over and summer was beginning. I've loved it because it usually means a party or a get-together with friends. And I think those are fine, but I most importantly need to love it and respect it for what it is. It should be a time to remember, honor, and thank those who served for us. So many soldiers have died for our country and I know that I (and probably many others) so often take it for granted. I have an uncle that insists every time we pray to pray for our military, and we should so that we don't forget.

They are fighting right now. Stop and remember them today. And every day.

Thinking of them and thinking of today makes me think of war. War is....scary, bad, evil....well let's just face it....it's probably the closest thing to Hell we will ever face and so that famous quote is pretty dead on. I believe that war is sometimes necessary, but that doesn't make it less scary. I remember being scared of war as a young boy....(dream sequence music back to childhood)

I teach about Russia each year and I tell my students each year how I remember when I was in 6th grade being scared of that country. Of course it was the Soviet Union then and for some reason I was scared of them. I remember that they were communist (didn't know what that meant but apparently it was bad). I remember that they were big and we didn't get along well with them. Anyone else remember being scared of them or was it just me? I remember when we fought in our first war of my lifetime....the Gulf War. I remember the big word "WAR" across the newspaper (that I still have by the way). That scared me. I was 15. I got really worried about being drafted if the war went on for while. Today I would gladly fight for my country if asked. I'd be scared but I'd do it. Back then, I honestly didn't want to. I love my country, but I was scared of war. I was scared of dying. Not anymore.

My grandfather fought in World War II. I attended his military funeral a couple of years ago and it was very special. I was more proud of him than I ever had been. Instead of going to Griffin's grave yesterday on my morning run, I tried to find his grave instead. But I couldn't. It's at the same location but across the street and it's just such a big graveyard. I'll have to try again soon. My dad fought in Vietnam. Boy have I heard the stories and seen the slides. We have all seen the slides. Many times. That's a big family joke. Any time we are together as a family and start thinking about old times, dad always seems to say "Why don't we look at the Vietnam slides?". We all groan. It's an inside family thing but the truth is, now I would kindof enjoy them. I know dad enjoys telling his stories and they interest me being a history teacher. I had to interview my dad when I was in 11th grade as a school project and it was pretty interesting. The point is, there are 2 right there that put their lives on the line for our country. There are so many others that risk and even lose their lives. That's scary. The "not knowing" if they're going to make it is difficult.

Again, like so many other things, it makes me long for Heaven where there will be no wars. The war against Satan has already been fought. It makes me long for the place where we won't have to worry about having to fight. Satan has been beaten so there will be no enemies, no threats, no drafts, no death. Hell will be a different story. Constant sadness and pain, just like a war. Why would anyone risk going there? Why would anyone continue in sin knowing that it could mean constant war? I had a long, tough week last week and I messed up. I'm not perfect and I confess sin in this post today. That's scary to me because I don't want to disappoint my God and jeopardize our relationship. But thank God for grace and forgiveness. I can get right back on the path to Heaven. And that's what I'm doing. That's what I'm committing to God today. I don't want to go where there is constant war. I'm going to Heaven so I can experience peace, no fears, no death, and a reunion with my precious son. What about you?

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Is 13 Really Unlucky?

2011-05-26T06:57:00.006-05:00

I've run 20 miles so far this week and it's only Thursday. I am planning to run at least 2 of these last 3 days. Would love to hit 30 miles. We'll see.

The baseball team plays this Saturday at Noon. We found out last night that we play the Rangers. They beat us during the regular season due to one bad inning of fielding on our part. That was a while back and I am hopeful that our improvement since then will help us prevail. If we win, we play in the championship on Sunday. If we lose, we play earlier Sunday afternoon and will have to win a triple-header to get the championship. Uggh. Go White Sox!

So I've heard 13 is an unlucky number. Why is that? No 13th floor in hotels. I always thought that was weird growing up. I mean I understand superstitions, but skipping an entire floor name?? That seems extreme. Maybe the reason 13 is unlucky is related to a certain creature that emerges every 13 years. Say it with me......the CICADAS! Now, if you are reading this in another part of the country, you have no idea what I'm talking about. But down here in this here South, we got 'em. And we got 'em big. There always seem to be more each time they come. I've heard a few people say they don't remember them from 13 years ago. But I sure do. In fact, I remember them from 26 years ago. It's funny, my son is in 3rd grade this year - the first time he is experiencing the Cicadas. And I was also in 3rd grade the first time I did as well. I remember...

I was 9 years old. I remember playing on the playground, the same playground I now often supervise. I remember being scared of them but very curious as well. Carter is the same way. He is terrified if one lands on him, especially anywhere near his face. (Max on the other hand isn't scared at all. He would probably jump into a vat of cicadas if I asked him to). I remember picking them up on the playground, pulling their heads off, throwing them at friends, basically the same things my sixth graders are doing now. But I also remember being at a church dinner outside (why we had a dinner outside during cicada season I'll never know). I was sitting at a table eating when I felt something strange inside my nice Sunday pants. You guessed it - one was crawling up my leg and he had made it to the knee area. I freaked. I remember wanting to smash it but I didn't want cicada guts all inside my pants. My dad had to quickly roll up my pants to get it out but there may have been some tears that day. Skip ahead 13 years.....

I remember my 2nd encounter when I was 22 years old. I remember mowing my parents yard and hating it. The mower was like a cicada-love-shouting-machine. They flocked to me. They landed on me. One crawled up my pant leg......AGAIN! 9 year old church dinner memories came flooding back. This time I had to get it out myself. By the way, I did say pants. I was wearing long pants, long-sleeve shirt, a hat, and a scarf of some sort, all trying to keep them off my body. It was 95 degrees. I looked like an idiot. But I hated those things. Skip ahead 13 more years.

I'm now 35 and this is my 3rd visit from those red-eyed pests. But you know what's weird? They don't bother me this time. Yes, the noise is annoying and yes they are taking over our 3 new trees given to us when Griffin died (trying to keep those trees alive - we love them.) But I don't mind them landing on me anymore. The other day I was driving when I felt something crawling up the back of my neck. 9 year old or even 22 year old me would've crashed right then and there. (I guess 9 year old would crash anyways being that he's 9 driving a car). But not 35 year old me. I just simply reached back, grabbed him and threw him out the window. No big deal. I guess I've really grown up in these last 13 years. Well, I guess not in some ways, but in cicada handling I certainly have. But I've seen lots of posts and heard lots of comments about how some people hate them. And I understand why. They can be annoying. So I have to ask the common question.....Why?

My wife Susan has always said when she gets to Heaven, she's going to ask God about mosquitoes. Why? What is the point in that little creation. Have to agree with her there.Mosquitoes are nothing but annoying although I'm sure they serve some purpose. Just can't find it. I guess we could all ask the same thing about cicadas. Why God? What's the purpose? Wouldn't it so much nicer and certainly quieter without them? One answer, although I don't think it's the main answer is what I read in the paper a few weeks ago. The cicadas do aerate the soil around the trees helping them to get nutrients and oxygen they need. Also, their eventual dead bodies provide great fertilizer for the trees. I've also read where some people eat them and they are nutritional. (No thanks from this guy.) The best of all for me? They make great bearded dragon food. My students have loved feeding them to my classroom pet, Jack. And he LOVES them! So I've got free food for him for several weeks. So they are technically saving me money. But I still don't think any of those reasons are the main reason why God created them.

I think he created cicadas to show his power and if you think about it, they certainly do. How amazing is it that these things live in the ground for 13 years and come up all at the same time. How amazing is it that they all chirp together and even increase volume together. How amazing is it that they know exactly what to do even though they only live 6 weeks. How amazing is it that there are millions of them right now and in a couple of weeks, there will be none. I like cicadas because they remind me of God. They remind me that He's in charge. When I'm at Griffin's grave and am just "being still and know," I hear them and I hear God. I mentioned that in a previous post and had a great talk with a friend that says she now loves their sound and thinks of God every time she hears them. I do too.

God is amazing. God is powerful. God is in control and I want to completely surrender to him and let him take over my life. I don't always do a good job of that. But I always try and I encourage you to do the same. I like cicadas this time. I think they are fascinating and they don't bother me. And they keep me focused on what's important. Now you don't have to like cicadas. God doesn't care. But He does care about you and He wants you to surrender to Him. Will you?

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Lessons from Little League

2011-05-23T07:14:00.008-05:00

So I only ended up with 13 miles last week, but I'm planning to do better this week. Summer time is about to officially begin and hopefully I'll have just a wee bit more time. Probably not. I ran 10 Sunday morning and it felt good. It was pretty hot for early morning but I made it fine. I ran 4 last night so I'm already past last week. I'll try to run tonight also. Cross Country will be here before I know it and I need to get back in shape to keep up with the boys (and girls).

One of the reasons I haven't been able to run as much lately is my new obsession which has totally consumed my life......and I love it! Baseball. No, I'm not playing. Wouldn't want to embarrass myself all over again. One hit in two seasons as a little leaguer wasn't the best batting average. I'll never forget when I finally got that hit in my 2nd season of baseball as a 7 or 8 year old. It was toward the end of the season. And I was that kid - you know the kid...the one kid on the team that can't hit it....the one that shuts his eyes to swing. Yep, that was me. In fact, that's me in the picture right up there. In two years, I never saw a ball go by me at the plate. I developed a really good sense of hearing and could hear them go by but see them....naaah. You couldn't have pried my eyes open with the jaws of life. I guess I was just really scared that the ball was going to hit me and subsequently kill me. Literally. But that one day toward the end of the 2nd season, I swung and heard a different sound....kindof like a pop. Not a swish like I usually did as my bat cut through the air. Then I heard another sound....screaming. Loud screaming. I opened my eyes to see the ball about three feet in front of me. In front. Wow! That was new. Everyone was yelling at me to run. I think even the other team was yelling for me to run. They knew my reputation. So I ran as fast as I could. It took a second to get started as my legs had never felt this before. In the meantime, the pitcher had run up and gotten the ball and thrown it to first. It was then all in slow motion. I hit the plate about the same time as the ball. The world went quiet as everyone eyes went to the man in blue. "SAFE," he yelled. And the world cheered. Coaches hugged. Parents fainted. The newspaper was called. "Little Albert got a hit!" The world had changed. Ok, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but that's how I remember it. And one hit in two years is absolutely true....an unintentional bunt, safe at first. What a day!

But back to the obsession at hand. I'm totally engrossed in coaching a little league team of a very similar age, playing on the exact same field where "Albert's Miracle" occurred so many years ago. I am a brand new coach this year of a 9-10 year old team which includes my son Carter and 12 others. I absolutely love them all. It's a great team and they all get along very well. They all have done so well this season and I really don't want it to end. We are currently in the post-season tournament where we've won 2 games and if we win our next game (Saturday), we will play for the championship. I reluctantly accepted the job of head coach at the beginning of the season having never coached a baseball team. I had assisted with a couple of others but that was it. But I love it. I don't know how good I am at it, but it seems to be going well and I'm really enjoying it. I love the other coaches I work with. I love the parents and of course I especially love the boys. I'd adopt them all if I could. I've learned a lot this season about coaching. The rules. The procedures. The practices. The excitements. The disappointments. Winning and losing. I've learned a lot about baseball. But while I expected to learn more about the sport and how to coach it, the most important lessons I've learned have been the ones that were unexpected.

Story 1 - The other night, we were playing out at Seven Oaks park. We were playing a double header - 2 teams from a different league....the RBI league (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City). We played the Braves first and it was a great game. We kept it close and beat them in the end. Our team made some great plays. It was a fun game. But then the storm came. We faced the Lightning that is. When we had told a couple of people before the games that we were playing the Lightning, they just turned their heads and laughed. Apparently the Lightning were an outstanding team that had gone undefeated all season. Nobody had or could beat them. They were well trained, well disciplined players and nobody gave us a chance to beat them. They came out and warmed up and all we could do was watch with wide, unbelieving eyes. They were nearly perfect....their throws, catches, hitting, fielding, was all dead on. We were in trouble. I thought, 'how great would it be if we could be the first team to beat the Lightning'. What a great motivator and season highlight that would be. Well, I'm happy to say that we didn't disappoint.....their perfect record that is....they still have one. We got creamed. 11-2. (I think that was the score...I lost count...I was just happy we scored 2 runs against them!!) They lived up to their reputation and talent. I know a few of the parents were wondering why we had scheduled this game in the first place. I was kindof wondering the same thing although I knew if nothing else, it would be good practice for our tournament. The teams we were gonna play would be a piece of cake compared to the Lightning. But here's the thing.....it was their coach. I could tell their coach was tough. Constant yelling. Strong, sometimes harsh encouragement. Almost like a drill sargent. Perfection was expected. He was a little scary and when we went to shake hands with the other team, I wasn't sure what he was going to say. He could've said "Ha Ha we creamed you" or "we just wasted an hour and a half on you guys." or "Coach? Seriously?" but here's what he said......"Stick around on the mound for a second." So we did. I didn't know what he was going to say or do. He began by stating that they were glad we came. He had his team clap for us and thank us for making the trip. He then asked if we could all join hands and thank God for the evening. I was surprised and humbled. I never expected this inner city, hard-driving, yeller of a coach to lead us in prayer. But he did. And it was great. He wants his team to strive for perfection and what he did was perfect. It summed up the game, the night, our whole lives. Baseball is nothing compared to the big picture. And thank God for having this man show us what it's all about. I just love the fact that he led us in prayer and that my boys got to join hands with a team from the other side of the tracks to share something we all believe and trust in. God. My respect for that team and coach went up 100%.

Story #2
I've had a really good team this year. The boys work really well together and encourage each other. I've got several great hitters and several great pitchers. So we were all excited to start the tournament. We drew the Mets first. That was good news and bad news. The good news was we had beaten them during the season. The bad news was we only beat them by 2 and it was a tough game. I had watched them play on a couple of additional occasions and knew they were good. It was going to be a tough game. We hated to lose our first game and move immediately to the losers' bracket. So we got ourselves ready to play and pumped up for our first tournament game. We played last Saturday. The game was close the whole time, each team going back and forth for the first few innings. Then it happened. We had a bad inning in the field and they went up 13-8. Five runs!! We would have to score five runs just to tie them. And we only had two more innings to do it in. We got up at the end of the 4th and scored zero. Nothing. No runs. What? I had just given a motivating speech right before we batted. I really believed in this team and we got nothin'? Really? To be honest though, I still believed we could do it. My hopes were not as high as they had been, but I never lost hope completely. Apparently, my boys didn't either. Luckily, we only let them score one additional run in the top of the last inning. 14-8. So this was it. The bottom of the last inning. Also luckily, we had flipped for position and had won home team which meant we got to bat last. I thought about giving another speech as they came in from the top of the inning, but decided against it. Like I said though, I still had some hope.......that was until I saw where we were in the batting order. We were ready for our bottom 5 hitters. Now everyone on my team can hit, but let's be honest, every team has great hitters and just average hitters. And it was time for the average ones. I didn't lose hope altogether but I knew it was going to take a lot to win this thing. Their coach already had the win on his mind. I don't want to be mean, but he took the comments and mocking a little too far so I hated to lose to him.....know what I mean? Batter Up! First batter. Who is it? Oh yeah, my son. Carter. The first of the bottom five. Carter can hit but he's had a slump lately. I was just hoping for anything. A walk even. That's when it happened. He nailed it. He ran to first and was told to keep going. That doesn't happen to Carter. He went to 2nd and stopped but we were yelling as loud as we could to keep going. I think he was in shock that he was being told to go to 3rd. He made it. A triple. A triple!?!?!? Carter Thweatt? Was I dreaming? Long story short - too late - of the next 4 batters, 3 of them got on base and we went to the top of our order with only one out. That's when I started to get excited. My top batters went into victory mode and all hit. Then with the bases loaded and down by only 2 runs, Tyler hit another triple. 2 runs scored and we won the game 15-14. I lifted Tyler off the ground - my hero. They were all my heroes. I haven't felt so excited in a long, long time. I think I literally jumped 4 feet off the ground when he hit that ball as did the rest of the coaches and parents. We won and here's why... My boys didn't give up. I never did either. I'll be honest and say my hope was low, but there was still some there. It was such a great feeling to see my boys so excited, cheering each other on, and not giving up. It was a great game, but more importantly, it was a great lesson in life.

There will be times when our hope might get lower. We may think we're beaten. But because God is on our team, winning is never out of the question. There's always a chance and hope of winning. I love this verse that I recently found:

2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

My hope is high right now. For baseball? Yes. But more importantly for Heaven. I'm going there. And I won't ever give up. Will I get down or have moments when I'm "behind in the ball game"? Absolutely. Had a big one recently. But I'll never be completely defeated and I'll never give up on winning the game and collecting the tournament trophy in Heaven. I encourage you never to give up. No matter what comes your way. You can always win the game. Keep striving. Keep encouraging others to join you.

See you on that Heavenly field. I call home team! But it doesn't matter. That game will never end!

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Footprints (take two)

2011-05-20T07:13:00.002-05:00

So the world ends tomorrow, huh? May 21? Isn't that what the billboards say? Can't say I believe it but who knows? Oh well, if it does, I'm ready. Are you? Truth is, it could end while I'm typing this. We have to always, ALWAYS be ready. I'm excited and ready. Anytime.

This hasn't been a good week for running. I've only done 13 miles so far and am not sure if I'm going to get another one in. It's just been an extremely busy week and I feel like I can actually use that as an excuse. There really has been little time to run, that is if I wanted to sleep. And I did prefer to sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to have a little more time next week with most school days being 1/2 days.

On to the topic......Here we go again. Since this crazy web hosting blog company thing deleted my post last week called "Footprints," I'll try to recreate it here, but I know it won't be exactly the same. Don't you hate when something good you've written gets deleted?? Every once in a while, our home computer will shut down the internet and it always seems to happen when we've typed this long email to someone. It's so frustrating to have to try and recreate it. So that's what's going on here. It's frustrating, but worth it because I think it was a good thought. If you read the first one, feel free to let me know if I left out anything.

Right after Griffin died, we were told about a company called "Precious Prints" that makes imprints of childrens' hands and feet. We were told they also do it for babies, even ones that have passed and so we gave them a call. We met the owner named Mary, who turned out to be a wonderful, caring lady. She immediately went to the funeral home and got an imprint of Griffin's hand and foot. She heated them, colored them, and turned it into two ornaments similar to the picture here. We received the finished product last week and it was sad but also very comforting to be able to touch Griffin's foot and hand again. The footprint even has his name on the front etched in the clay. It will be a wonderful reminder of our son for the rest of our lives. The lady, Mary who created it did a wonderful job and even did it for free. She told us it was her ministry. She was a true blessing and we so much appreciated her kindness and generosity. We received that on Wednesday night. Thursday morning I was at Griffin's grave having my daily time with God. It was especially peaceful and I really felt God's presence. I was thinking about the hand and footprints and about Griffin when I opened up the book I've been reading. It's called "Grieving the Child I Never Knew" and was given to us by my awesome sister-in-law, Beth Greeson. When I turned to the page I was ready for, I noticed it was a page about suffering and included three writings, a poem, a quote, and a scripture. The scripture was very appropriate (Romans 5:3-5 - look for an upcoming post about that one). The quote was good too. But the poem....the poem was called "Children's Footprints". That's the absolute truth. Tell me God is not working in my life and speaking to me. I'll print the poem below, but it was so meaningful being that I had just touched Griffin's footprint the night before and was now sitting by his grave. God is amazing.

It also made me think about one of my favorite writings called "Footprints" which I'm sure many of you have read. I'll print it below as well. I love how at the end, the man realizes that God has been carrying him. God has certainly been carrying me these last several weeks. But it also made me think about my "footprints" or my impressions being left behind. Where have my footprints gone? What impression do they leave to others? What about yours? Your footprints each day either move closer to God or away from Him. Every decision you make does the same. How many times have your footprints led to someone in need, especially someone who needs God? When your footprints leave a room, what do others say about them? About you? I know it shouldn't matter what others think but if your influence leads them away from God, it does matter. We should be leading others closer to God by our words, our actions, our mannerisms, our behavior, and our example. Think about where your footprints take you each day. Are you really moving closer to God with every step, every second of every hour? If so, great! Keep going. Bring others along. If not, change directions. Watch your footprints carefully. The path is narrow (Matt. 7:14). Stay on it! I'm trying my best each day to do the same. Satan's powerful and can push you off that path, but get right back on. It's NEVER too late. I'm staying on to see my God, my Savior, my family, and my son.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert (2 writings below)

Children's Footprints

By: Doreen Sexton

Some children come into our lives and go quickly.

Some children come into our live and stay awhile,

All our children come into our lives and leave

footprints--

Some oh so small;

Some a little larger;

Some, larger still,

But all have left their footprints on our lives;

in our hearts,

And we will never, never be the same.

"Survivor"ing - Part II

2011-05-18T09:00:00.002-05:00

Boy did I run yesterday! We took the 6th grade to Sevier Park for their "good conduct reward day" for this final grading period. We spent the whole day there. And I spent almost 2 hours playing Ultimate Frisbee with them. I don't know exactly how far I ran, but I think it had to be at least 3 miles - probably more. I love that game and I had a blast. They really got into it. We played that last year too. I'm hoping it becomes tradition. Only 4 full and 4 half days left. I'm ready for Summer. I've enjoyed another year of teaching, but am always ready at the end of the year for a break.

Ok, slightly different kindof post today. Just a follow up on Monday's post. Not too much spiritual message in this one. Here's the deal - I had some good response from Monday's post on Survivor. And one friend in particular disagreed with my thoughts on Rob deserving the win. I won't mention this friend's name but it starts with a J.J. and ends with a Dillingham. Since we're not friends anymore after our disagreement, who cares if I mention his name. :) Totally kidding - we had a fun back-and-forth email about our thoughts. We agreed it was all in good fun and we also agreed to disagree. But it made me think and wonder if I'm wrong. You may have to read the post below if you haven't yet, but basically I said that the show is just a game and any strategy (even lying and deceiving others) is acceptable. My friend disagreed. He thought that how you played was how you lived and even though it's a game, you should always act how God expects you to. (Feel free to comment "friend" if I mistake what you said)

After considering his opinion and thinking a lot on the subject, I totally understand his point. Nothing should keep us from acting like Jesus at all times. We should all have morals and live the life that God calls us to live. However, I still feel like in a game situation that is not "real life," we are allowed to do whatever it takes to win. Unfortunately some players in Survivor take the game to be real life (especially when they get voted out) and they shouldn't. It's a game. I know I keep saying that but they should go into it knowing that someone might deceive them to get further in the game. If they think everyone's going to be nice and be totally honest the whole time, then they shouldn't play. That's how you play the game. That's how you win. It's one of the almost-necessary strategies of this game.

Now, that being said, did Matt do that? No, he didn't. And that's admirable. I think it's possible to win and keep your morals, but I think it's more difficult for sure. I just think if we're going to put our best and our all into winning a game, sometimes we have to act differently then we normally would. Case in point - I'm a quiet guy. Anyone want to "amen" that? However, last Saturday, I actually ran onto the field towards an umpire to yell after a ridiculous call against my team. (sorry team if I embarrassed but it actually felt kindof good) But here's the point - That's not me! I don't do that. But I wanted to win and I wanted to win fairly. And he was being unfair so I did something I wouldn't normally do. Now, I realize that I didn't lie or deceive, but those things aren't needed in baseball. If those things were allowed and needed to win baseball, I would do it. It's a game. (there we go again) You take whatever strategy needed to win. It's not like Rob broke the rules of the game. The producers or whoever made up the game of Survivor know that those things are part of the game and they expect them.

Finally, the big question......What would I do??? That's a tough one. If I were on Survivor, what strategy would I take? I already said last time that I wouldn't hide my faith. And I wouldn't. Not anymore since God has recently changed my life. I admire Matt so much for proclaiming God. He changed lives. However, I also wouldn't forbid myself to lie if needed to protect myself in the game. I would see it as a part of the game and wouldn't feel guilty about it. And if I got back-stabbed, I would be upset to be out of the game, but not upset at the others. I would congratulate them on a game well-played. I honestly think God would understand that it was all in the context of a game.

But again, I could always be wrong. I'm not a perfect person and I make mistakes - a lot. But again, this is how I feel on this one. I would love to hear other opinions on the subject.

It looks like my missing post (Footprints) isn't coming back so I'll try to recreate it later in the week.

Have a good Wednesday!

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

'Survivor'ing in this World

2011-05-16T07:32:00.001-05:00

My last post is gone. Say what????? I posted a looooong writing called "Footprints" on Thursday and it's gone. Turns out that Blogger (the company(?) that hosts blogspot and all these free blogs) deleted everybody's posts from Thursday because something was wrong with the site. They made an announcement that it would all be back, but mine ain't come back yet. And I'm bummed. I kinda liked my "Footprints" post and I don't have a copy of it anywhere. I think I could kindof redo it but it wouldn't be exactly the same. I guess I'll have to start making a backup copy of my posts. I'm gonna hold off trying to redo it for now in hopes that it will come back, but if not, I'll try to recreate it towards the end of this week.

I ran 10 miles yesterday morning. Yay. My longest run in a few weeks. It felt great. Very cool (53 degrees) and a little misty to help cool me off even more. It was pretty much perfect running weather. I ran to GG and back (that's Griffin's grave in cast you're wondering). Exactly 5 miles from our house. Ran there. Talked to God a little. Felt Him there once again. I don't know why but I always feel God so much stronger when I'm there. It's just so beautiful and peaceful there. It's like I'm one step closer to God when I'm there and I like it. I know a lot of parents who lost children would be uncomfortable or sad to be at their child's grave, but for some reason, not me. I need to be there. I need to talk to my boy and my God and it's just easier there. Is that weird or strange? Should I be sad there instead? Maybe so, but since it's working for me now, I'm planning to keep it up unless it changes. Anyways, I ran 27 miles last week. 7 more than the week before. Running is starting to feel normal and good again. I'm getting it back which makes me very happy.

So did anyone else catch Survivor last night? Season finale. I've watched every episode of this show for 11 years. Excessive? Probably. But it's my show. I remember hearing about it on the radio about 6 months before it began (I even remember where I was when I heard it - how creepy is that?) and I thought 'that sounds like a good idea. I think I'll watch that show'. So from season 1 and Richard Hatch (didn't like him) to season 22 and Boston Rob (I do like him), I've seen them all. Even if you don't watch or didn't watch, keep reading because I'd like to make a couple of points from the show.

First of all, a point that some may disagree with. Rob definitely deserved to win last night. He did play the best game I've probably ever seen. Was he deceiving, back-stabbing, lying, etc.? Absolutely. But IT'S A GAME. I honestly don't find anything wrong with that since it's a game. It's not real life. There's a stinkin' camera in front of them at all time for crying out loud. Rob said it best on the reunion last night when he said something to the effect of...."when you get back to real life off the island, then it changes and that's who you really are, but on the island it's a game and sometimes you have to play that way." Did I want Rob to win? No. I wanted Matt to win. More about him later. But when Matt lost his chance, I was for Rob. He came in with a strategy and played it brilliantly. It's a game. It's not real life and I'll always see it that way. And anyone who complains about people having no morals on the show and not playing fair....I would just remind them that what matters about those people is how they act off the island and until you know how they really are, you don't know them. Feel free to disagree. I'm not perfect and not always right and I could be off on this one. But that's how I feel.

Ok, now to the main point. The above is just for some heated discussion (if I get any). I really really wanted Matt Elrod to win. And not just because I taught him and know him. Even if he was from another state and I had no idea who he was, I would've been for him. Why? I have never seen someone so openly profess their faith in front of a national audience. I am shocked (but pleasantly delighted) that CBS and the Survivor producers allowed so much to be shown and highlighted. But Survivor this season slightly turned into a part-time plug for Christianity and I loved every minute of it. I am so proud, impressed and humbled by what Matt did out there. He is a true hero in my book. And for that, for doing what all of us as Christians should do, I wanted him to be rewarded. (I do think Rob should've been disqualified from winning fan favorite since he won the whole thing. I was very disappointed that Matt didn't win that.) From the first season of Survivor when Dirk (I think) proclaimed his faith and it ultimately meant his ouster, I have often thought how I would act if I was on Survivor. I am very ashamed once again to say that a few months ago, I would've decided to hide my faith thinking that the game has nothing to do with that (like this blog a few months ago). I wouldn't have wanted to offend anyone and would've probably kept my prayers and belief in God private. But like I said a few posts back 'shame on me'. Matt did absolutely the right thing. He kept God first in his game. He gave the game to God which is what we as Christians should do every day.

We are not all playing the TV game of Survivor, but we are all trying to Surviv(or) in this world. Satan makes this life a game. We have to play it right or we don't win the ultimate prize of Heaven. And it's a hard game, much harder than the TV version of Survivor. It's a constant challenge to stay on that narrow path to Heaven. And Satan knows how to make us throw in the towel, give up, and settle for a much easier life sitting on the beach around a fire. But don't lose your motivation. Get up and play the game like Matt. Give the game to God. Keep Him first in your strategy to win. That's what I'm trying to do. One of the reasons Matt went so far was not only his faith, but the fact that he was alone on Redemption Island for several days. He was away from the "evils of the game (world)" and was able to survive with just God and himself. We need to all realize that while this world seems fun and happy (and it often is), it is also Satan's territory and so it's evil. It's not home. We need to all spend alone time with God and ask him to protect us from the world. And we need to encourage as many others as possible to do the same.

One final Survivor lesson - did you notice that everyone in the vase challenge last night lost when they took their eyes off it, even Matt. If you take your eyes off what's important (God), you will lose too. But that's another lesson......and I think you can figure it out for yourself.

I want my boys to be happy and to have a good, successful life. But I want more for them to realize that life is so short. What happens here is really not important as long as you know God and believe in the reality of his son, Jesus Christ. I want my boys to be one of the few on the narrow path to Heaven (Matt 7:14). One of my boys already made it.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Techinical Issues

2011-05-14T18:33:00.003-05:00

The blogger website went down Friday and deleted my Thursday post called "Footprints". They say it's coming back. If not, I may try to retype it but I won't get it exactly the same. Hopefully it will come back soon. I will wait to post another one for a few days in hopes it will restore it.

Sorry for the delays.

Abigail's Doll and the "Other Mother"

2011-05-09T08:42:00.005-05:00

We're studying China in my 6th grade History class and one of my students brought in fortune cookies as a surprise this morning. Now, I don't put a lot of stock or belief in the fortunes but it's fun anyways. My fortune this morning (and not kidding about this) - "You will obtain your goal if you maintain your course". How cool (and true) is that? That's what this blog and my life are all about. I've never wanted to obtain a goal more than I do with Heaven right now. And I will maintain the course. It won't always be easy. This world offers some fun things but a lot of them are on those side roads that I just don't need to take. I've got to stay on course. Thanks fortune cookie for the reminder this morning.

Ok, now to the topic at hand. So I was reading a book the other day called "Grieving the Child I Never Knew" by Kathe Wunnenberg. I can't remember who gave it to us, but I like it. It's a daily devotional book focusing on scripture and Biblical studies dealing with grieving or loss. The most recent one I read discussed one of my favorite Biblical stories - Solomon, the two women, and one baby. I teach this story in Bible each year in 6th grade as we study I and II Kings. (It's in I Kings 3) I also was assigned to teach this story about 15 years ago when I taught 4th grade at my church. Now I'm the kind of teacher that likes visuals. I like to grab the kids' attention. So I figured if I was going to teach about the two women with one baby, I would need to have a baby doll. Being the manly boy that I was, I didn't have any dolls, but my little sister Abigail did. She had about 72 of them in her closet. I figured she wouldn't miss just one. So I stole it. I tried to get one from the back of the closet that I didn't think she'd miss. Then, I went into our garage, grabbed a saw, and went to town. I sawed that doll in half. In Sunday school class the next day, we discussed the story and I showed the 4th graders a doll. When we got to Solomon's decision, I asked them what he said to do. When they said "cut it in half", I pulled the doll apart. You can just imagine those kids' faces. Classic moment. A little psychotic on my part, but classic. I then put the doll back together and explained how luckily that didn't happen and how the correct mother got her baby back. I have now used "Baby 2-piece" (that's his name) each year in my 6th grade class. Baby 2-piece is a great way to get the kids' attention and they remember him throughout the year. Just ask one of my 6th graders. By the way - disclaimer here - I'm not a violent person. Don't be scared of me because I once sawed a doll in half. I just like the shock and awe examples.

Anyways, back to the book. The writer made a point from that story that I have never thought of before. It was simply "What about the other mother?" The bad one - as I imagine we often call her or think of her. We never, or at least I never have thought about her point of view. I just assume she was bad or evil and am so happy that the rightful mother got the baby. But for one second, look at things from the other mother's perspective. She woke up in the middle of the night to check on her new baby. Maybe she woke up because she didn't feel him moving or hear him breathing. Imagine her horror, shock and sadness when she realized what she had done. She had killed him. Her baby was gone. It had been an accident. She didn't mean to do it. But imagine her pain. Then she looked over to the other bed. There was a perfectly healthy baby sleeping. Maybe she quietly picked him up and felt his warmness. Maybe she smelled him and he had that perfect new baby smell. Maybe he looked up at her and smiled or made that new baby sound. So in her grief and extreme sadness, she made a choice. She switched the babies. She just wanted her baby to be alive again. She wanted the nightmare to go away. I know how she felt.

Now, I'm not condoning what she did, and neither was the author of the book. She did wrong. She sinned and obviously the baby belonged with the rightful mother. But was she really evil or did she just make a bad choice in a time of devastating loss? I can tell you and I've certainly heard and read that trauma and unexpected tragedy can cause people to think and do some strange things. Maybe that's what happened here. Should we have any sympathy for this woman or just see her as evil? I don't know the right answer, but I can tell you how I feel. When looking at it from her point of view, it makes me see her in a different way and I do have some sympathy for her. Yes she did wrong. Yes, she made some strange statements while before Solomon ("Yes, cut him in half"). And yes, she should've probably been punished (although we're not told what happened to her). But was she grieving? Most likely. Did her grief cause her to do something she wouldn't normally do? Maybe.

What's the point? The point is that I see this woman differently because we're still grieving our loss. We miss our son terribly. Not long after our loss, we went to Cracker Barrel and were seated at a table where a newborn baby was right in my sight throughout the meal. That was not easy. Part of me wished it was our baby. When I'm out or at church and see a baby or a pregnant woman now, it's a mix of emotions. I am very happy for the family and I wish and pray for health and safety. I don't want anyone to go through what we did. But I have to be honest and say that there is a part of me that hurts all over again for my son. It's a strange feeling. It's a definite mix of emotions. Now I've always loved holding a baby, and I still do. I especially love holding my niece, Amelia (Abigail's real doll ). I think it's good for me and it's a therapy of some sort. However, it also makes me long so much more to hold my son once again. I absolutely cannot wait to hold him again. And I truly believe I will get to. I just have to stay strong in my race to Heaven. I can't slow down or stop. And I can't veer off the course.

Is there someone you want to hold, hug, or see in Heaven? There has to be. While this isn't the only reason we should long for Heaven, it is certainly one of them. But don't you want to see these people again? I do. I have many that I want to see. And I truly believe you can and that you'll get to hold their hand forever. What a wonderful reality that is!! Don't miss out on your chance to experience the glory of our Father in Heaven. Heaven will be forever and it will be more joy and happiness that you could ever imagine. I can't wait. Please come with me. Griffin is waiting for me there.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

Motivation is a BIG Word

2011-05-06T07:06:00.001-05:00

I really appreciate the positive response to starting up this blog again. I got so many good comments, not only on here, but on FB as well. It's so nice to know I have so many people running this race along side me. Running is just more fun with others. Don't quit.

I really feel like God is calling me to write on here. You know, after Griffin died, we had several people who had been through something similar tell us we ought to journal. I've never journaled before except for on here about running. Well, I take that back. When I was in 5th grade I started keeping a journal (NOT a diary - "Journal" sounds more manly.) I think I kept it for about 2 weeks. I wrote down what happened each day at school. It was pretty boring as you might imagine but I enjoyed it. But then I think my older sister found it and made fun of me for having a "diary". So that was the end of that. Thanks a lot Allison. That could've been the start of a writing career. :) But I do think journaling is one way I'm using to cope with loss. It's helpful for me (but not everyone) to express thoughts and talk to others about struggles.

Motivation. Big word. Not necessarily in length, but in meaning. That's been one of my biggest struggles all my life. And Satan knows that about me. He knows that I am easily distracted and uses that to lure me away from what's important. In the five weeks since Griffin's death, I have lost the motivation to run each day. I probably averaged 5-6 times a week before his death. But recently it's been 1-2 times per week tops. I'm just not motivated. Running is a skill. It takes discipline, patience, hard work but especially motivation. I've found that it's a lot easier to go out and run if I have a goal in mind. I have to know that there is a race coming up that I need to train for. I think the fact that I have no race on the horizon coupled with the tragedy of our loss has put running way down on my priority list. But I'm slowly getting it back. I've run 3 times now this week for a total of 16 miles. (I hope to run today and tomorrow as well.) That's nothing compared to what I used to do but it's much better than what I've been doing. I still love running. I love how it makes me feel and what it does for my health. I want to get a race in the works to help strengthen my motivation. Maybe I will.

I think our relationship with God is the exact same way. At least it is for me. I often lack the motivation to spend time with Him. One year ago at this time I had almost no relationship with God outside of church and my job. I had no personal relationship. I didn't spend time with Him each day. I wanted to but I just couldn't find the motivation to do so. I justified it by saying that church and chapel at school were enough. And there are other things too. I mean we pray before meals. We read to the boys before bed. I go on youth retreats. I follow the rules except for the occasional mistake. I'm fine. Right? Wrong! It's not enough. I think it's vital to have personal time with him. Every day. I finally figured that out and tried it. It's not easy. Life gets in the way. Satan makes other things more appealing. Television, movies, naps, books, family, friends, fun. I enjoy all those. But none are more important than God. Nothing is. We all know this, but do we live it? I had a good friend tell me that he made a "date" with God every night at 9:30PM. He spends at least 30 min to an hour (sometimes longer) reading scripture, praying, reading a spiritual book or practicing other spiritual disciplines. And nothing would keep him from keeping that date. I tried at night. Doesn't work for me. I've always had trouble staying awake at night. So I tried in the morning. It works a lot better for me. I'm not perfect yet. I miss occasionally because Satan gets in the way. He makes a TV show or extra sleep seem more appealing. But I'm averaging 5-6 times per week. I have simply set my alarm for 30 min. earlier. What's 30 minutes of sleep compared to eternity? I use that 30 min. each morning to pray, read, think and focus. All for God. It has done amazing wonders for me and I feel closer to Him. If the weather is good, I'll do it at Griffin's grave. It's the perfect spot to find God. I'm there each morning at 6AM. It's becoming a habit. I love that.

I encourage you to do the same. Make daily time with Him a habit. Find the right time and make it a date. And don't let anything break the date. Nothing! It will change your life. God will change your life. He's changed mine. This morning, I sat at Griffin's grave and saw God. I saw Him in the sunrise, the clouds, the birds, the breeze. I saw Him and felt Him. I longed to be with Him in Heaven. I can't wait to be with Him. Please come with me.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

5 Life-Changing Weeks

2011-05-04T10:01:00.005-05:00

I'm back. I didn't think I would be. I even told some friends this past weekend that I was done with this blog stuff. What's the point? I enjoy running but I've done a lot of races. How can I possibly top Chicago or Disney? It's going to be quite the challenge to get PR's anymore. I think I've gone about as fast as I can go in all distances. Maybe not, but what else do I write about on here. Nothing interesting in the world of running is happening to me. I'm tired of searching for running topics.

However, something else has happened to our family recently and is still happening to an extent. You see, when I started this blog, it was meant to simply cover my running adventures with a little family stuff mixed in. That's it. Now, I have always been a devout Christian and faithful member of the church, but I didn't feel I would mix in a lot of that because that wasn't what this blog was about. And to be real honest, I didn't want to turn anyone off to this blog by being too preachy or "holier than thou". So I didn't mention much about my faith. I think I mentioned prayer a couple of times, but that's it. I kept my faith and my spiritual thoughts to myself. That's the kind of guy I am. Or was.

5 weeks. Exactly 5 weeks (10:00AM). 5 weeks ago right now I was in the church at a funeral. I was on the front row. That's where family sits. Just a few days before, I would've never dreamed I would have been at that funeral. I was happy, excited, so ready for the next exciting phase of my life. I was gonna be a father again. 3 sons. My dream had come true. But God had other plans. Most of you reading know what I'm talking about but for those in other places who might be reading - my son Griffin was buried 5 weeks ago today. He was born dead on March 27. I won't go into details today. Maybe another time. But it's safe to say that we weren't expecting it. It's changed our lives. We don't even know how much yet. But I know it's changed and will continue to change mine - in many, many ways and more to come. The biggest? I'm much closer to God. I want to spend more time with him. I want to see him and be with him. I also want to be with my son. I miss him. He's happy now so I'm happy. But I can't wait to see him one day and I will.

And I want as many others to join me there. I'm going to Heaven. Are you? Shame on me for hiding God from this website. Shame on me for trying to hard not to offend. Shame on me for not having the courage to proclaim my belief in a loving, forgiving God. God has called me to come to Heaven and bring as many people as possible with me, so that's the new point of this website. I'm still running. More about that later. But now I've found a race that will top Chicago, Disney, even Boston (though I'll never get there). I'm running the race of life and at the finish line is Heaven. The ultimate prize. AND I WILL FINISH THIS RACE.

This website will now be used to try to influence others to join me in this race and to finish. You may have noticed the title and logo change. Running here on Earth is still important to me and I will keep at it and talk about it on here. But no more daily miles posted (only weekly) and no more running goals. Instead, I plan to talk more about my race of life. If that doesn't interest you, don't read. If it offends you, I'm truly sorry, but that's who I am. I won't deny my God anymore. I won't be scared to shout his name. He is real. I've got so much to say, but I'll save it for another post soon. This is my attempt at an introduction to my new theme. We'll see how it goes.

I got to hold my third son for about 3 hours, give or take. He was perfect. He was wonderful. He was mine. In that time, although not nearly enough, I fell in absolute love with him. I cannot wait to hold him again. And I know this is how God feels about me.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert

COMING BACK

2011-05-03T12:14:00.001-05:00

THIS WEBSITE IS COMING BACK VERY SOON (LIKE MAYBE TOMORROW) WITH A WHOLE NEW THEME SO STAY TUNED.

Goin' on a Little Hiatus

2011-03-21T14:57:00.001-05:00

2:57PM

So a little over a week ago, my son and I had a really good running day. He and I ran the Tom King 5K together. He hadn't trained much at all. 5 days maybe. We ended up getting him a PR (25:25) and a 1st place award for his age group. I was soooo proud of him. We've got another one in April. I also ran a half marathon that day getting 1:41 and some change. Not my best but it was a good race. I just ran it for fun and did enjoy it. I do wish it could've been a little cooler but I finished strong and we got to finish both races on the Titans Field. That was pretty cool.

So I've decided to take a little hiatus from this blog. Sorry to all my readers......reader. I just have too much going on to keep this updated. I may try to post every once in a while but no promises. With my teaching, coaching, working at our church, and new son coming very soon, I barely have time to run much less write about it. So this is it for a while except for maybe an occasional post. Plus, I'm not going to be doing many races in the near future. I'll be giving all my available time to my new boy. I'm so excited!

I will be keeping my 2011 log updated so you can see my runs, but that's about it.

I promise to keep runnin'. I ask the same of you if you dare.

Keep runnin',
Albert

Morning or Night....Which is Right?

2011-02-24T08:43:00.003-06:00

8:43AM

I did 16 miles on Sunday. Hadn't done that much since the Disney marathon. It went great. Even better than my 14. I had some great podcasts and tunes to listen to so that helped. But I ran the whole time and felt great the whole time. I love it when runs go that way. I'll do 14 this Sunday as I start to slightly taper for the half-marathon in a little over 2 weeks.

I'm still not back to where I want to be with my running. I think it's because I've just been so busy lately. Besides teaching school (which has been very busy in itself with a lot of extra activities) and working up at our church, I've also been helping coach my son's basketball team. I'm now head-coaching his baseball team which just started. I've been taking my other son to his basketball practices. We've been remodeling our basement and painting our upstairs hallway and baby's room so our house is crazy. And to top it all off, we're preparing for the birth of our 3rd son in 6 weeks. So needless to say, it's been a little crazy. We're managing and I'm happy, but my time is just limited and I have been more tired at nights and in the mornings then I've ever been. I know I'm not getting enough sleep, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it. And I know when this baby comes that I won't be getting any more sleep, only less. By the way, I don't mean all this as a pity-party for Albert....just statin' the facts.

So I used to always run at night except for my Sunday morning long run. I had tried running in the morning but I just didn't like getting up any earlier. I was already getting up at 5 so I hated to move it into the 4's. But like I said above, I've recently been so tired at nights. There have been many nights when after our boys go to bed around 7:30-8, I would crash then as well. Some nights I have looked forward to going to bed that early because of how tired I felt. So I've started running some mornings now. I usually like it once I get started. I think it's a great way to start off the day. But it's the getting started that I still haven't worked out. It's so easy when that alarm goes off to lay the head back down. I often use the excuse that I'll run tonight instead. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. So I haven't decided which one I like better yet. I guess it just depends on how I feel. Here are some pros and cons:

MORNING
Pros - no/little traffic, quiet, get it done for the day, no extra shower (would shower anyways before school), everyone else asleep so not missing family time
Cons - waking up even earlier, colder in morning ( I know this will change), too easy to go back to bed

EVENING
Pros - Don't have to get up earlier, a little warmer, tend to sleep better
Cons - often too tired, traffic sometimes an issue, means a 2nd shower for the day, miss time with my wife (boys already in bed)

So I guess I'll keep playing with it until I figure out a good routine. It may take a while. The good news is I can take a couple days off and still feel great running. I have no pains or injury right now so running typically feels really good right now whenever I do it.

Feel free to comment on which you prefer. Would love to hear some other opinions.

Keep runnin',
Albert

Maybe I Should've Kept the Treadmill

2011-02-12T20:33:00.002-06:00

8:33PM

Today's weather was perfect. I could've run in shorts and a t-shirt. I chose running pants and a t-shirt because there was a slight breeze, but it felt great. I ran 6 today and yesterday. I'm going to try 14 in the morning again. I haven't checked the weather yet, but it'll probably be cool in the morning again. We've had some extrememly cold mornings this week. One day it was 9 degrees in the morning.

If you look at my running this week, you can see that I took a large break. This was simply because of the weather and the fact that this was an extremely busy week. I had so much to do at school this week and I was swamped. Therefore when I finally got home and had dinner, I was very tired. But the weather was not ideal for running either. It was very cold this week and we had a pretty severe snow storm on Wednesday and Thursday so I could've have run unless I ran on ice the whole time and I didn't want to risk it. These are the days that I wish I had my treadmill back. We sold it on Craigslist about 2 months ago. I rarely used it. I hated running on it. I really can't stand treadmill running. I would do it if I had to but it was torture. Well, not torture but close. But I think this was a week where I would've run on it to get some runs in instead of taking 4 days off. Oh well, I didn't lose anything. The runs yesterday and today felt great. And the treadmill just took up space. We're remodeling our basement and some stuff just has to go.

Well I'm heading to bed. Gotta get up around 4:30 to run. Hope everyone had a good week.

Keep runnin',
Albert

Who's This Tom King Anyways?

2011-02-04T14:13:00.002-06:00

2:13 PM

<------I chickened out. I was supposed to run early this morning. I got up but then I made the mistake of going outside to see what the temp was like. It was sooooo cold. I should've just put on my clothes and started running. But I chickened out. I justified that it was too cold and I'd wait until this afternoon or tonight. I wish I'd just done it and gotten it overwith. It's supposed to rain this afternoon anyways. And I knew that. But now I have to run tonight because I didn't run yesterday. I wish it would just warm up a little bit. It would make it so much easier.

So last time I told you that I signed up for a half-marathon. I've added it to my race list and my timer above. It's called the Tom King Classic Half Marathon and it's on March 12 at 8:30AM. (That'll be a bit easier than the 5:30 Disney start.) I'm not sure who Tom King is. I've been told that he comes to the race wearing a shirt that says "I am Tom King". Sounds like a humble man. I think he owns a bunch (or maybe just one) of car dealerships so he sponsors the race. Obviously he owns Gupton Dodge based on the race banner there. Supposedly it's a very flat race and you get to run along the Cumberland River on the greenway which is a very nice path. You also get to start along side the Titans stadium and finish on the 50 yard line. I love that part. I've wished for years that the Country Music Marathon which finishes right outside the stadium would finish inside instead. It will be neat to enter the stadium on ground level and see the tunnel which I've never seen. I'm also excited to have a race on the list to prepare for. That'll help in my motivation (which I'm obviously having some issues with). It will also fulfill one of my 2011 goals to participate in a half marathon besides Disney. Plus, I love doing new races. This will be my last big race before baby boy comes in early April.

So, I am excited. It's just a little over a month away so it'll come up quick. I've already planned my long runs accordingly. I'll do 14 this Sunday. I will do it. If I don't check the temp. first.....

Keep runnin'
Albert

Anyone Seen My Motivation?

2011-01-27T15:58:00.002-06:00

3:58PM

So it's been almost 3 weeks since Disney. The hype is over. It's amazing how quickly it all goes away. It was a race I looked forward to for about 3 years b/c I knew I'd do it one day. And now it's done. It's easy to think that I'll never have another race like that. But who knows. Maybe another race will be just as good, if not better. Chicago and Memphis were certainly great races. And maybe I'll go back to Disney one day. No big races for a while though. It's almost baby time. About 10-11 weeks left. We are getting so excited. Our house is a wreck. Like train wreck. There is stuff everywhere. The remodel is supposed to be done around the end of February. We'll then have a month to put it all back together in time for the baby. That is IF he's on time and not early. It'll be a busy March. Luckily I have a week for Spring Break in there.

So I'm finding it harder to get motivated to run these days. Maybe it's the cold. Maybe it's a little post-race depression. Who knows? I'm just not feeling it. I mean I'm doing it. I'm not taking many days off. But while I'm running, it just doesn't feel that I'm where I was. And I'm not. I'm running a slower pace than normal. I just need to push it and get back into it. I wish it was a little warmer. It is harder to get motivated when it's so cold. I like the cold once I get started, but it's the getting started that's so tough. But I'll keep at it. I may try to run 6 tonight. I need a nice long run. I'm also going to try 12 this Sunday. I worked out a long run schedule for my next half-marathon.

That's right - I signed up for a half marathon. I am excited about that. I'll talk more about it next time, but it's at the beginning of Spring Break - as if we don't have enough to do. But it'll be a good last race before the baby. Then I'll just do some small races until fall when I'm hoping to do another marathon late in the year (November or December).

I'm not in any pain which is great news. My injury is finally gone. Hopefully for good. I'll keep pushing and hopefully I'll get my pace and motivation back. I think it's coming, just need a little more time. Hope everyone is doing well and has a nice weekend.

I'll talk more about the new half marathon next time.

Keep runnin',
Albert

A Goofy Video

2011-01-18T14:48:00.005-06:00

Here is my video of Disney Marathon Weekend 2011 (The Goofy Challenge). Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed filming and editing it. You can view it on YouTube as well at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omEnkNrl7Yk

Keep runnin'
Albert

Disney Top 10

2011-01-15T20:21:00.001-06:00

8:21 PM

My leg is getting better. Sunday through Wednesday, it was pretty bad. It was a little better beginning Thursday. Today it feels almost back to normal, but definitely not 100%. I think I set myself back a few weeks after last weekend's goofiness. It feels like it did in mid-December when I was really worried about Disney. 2 weeks off helped it to get better but now it's like it never left. I really want to run. It felt so good to finally be back up to running each day or almost each day and now I can't again. But I guess that's to be expected with running a marathon and a half. I may try a short run Monday just to see how it feels.

Well, congratulations to my Auburn Tigers. What a game last Monday and a season! I got back in time to watch the whole game Monday night and it was the game I've been waiting for. It wasn't quite the offensive battle I was expecting. In fact, the 3rd and most of the 4th quarter were pretty uneventful and dare I say...a little boring. But the last 5 min. or so were great and it wasn't a knockout, but a win's a win. I'll take it any way I can get it. We are National Champs. It capped off a great weekend.

I'm having a little bit of the post-Disney blues. Kindof like when you are on the way home from a Disney vacation. It was such a great trip and while it was so great to get home and see my family, I am kindof sad that it's all over. I'm already looking forward to our next trip down there. So I thought I'd take some time here to list my top 10 favorite moments from last weekend. Maybe that'll help extend it a little, at least in my mind. Here they are in order:

#10 - Getting my picture with Buzz Lightyear - I took 5-6 pictures with characters. Why was this my favorite? Because it was the first. The first was just a little more special I guess. It was in Magic Kingdom in Future World. The sun was starting to come up so you could actually see. He had only one other runner stopped there so I decided to stop. It was the first of several pictures. I know it's a little cheesy and immature for a 35 year old man to stop and get pictures with Disney characters but I don't care. It's Disney and I decided to enjoy it and have fun. Buzz was the first to take the time and pose with me so it was #10 on my list.

#9 - The little candy bars - We had just entered Hollywood Studios. I knew I was home free. I was starting to feel good, excited about the finish. But I won't lie, my legs were hurting and I was tired. We rounded the corner back behind the backlot tour and were approaching the tunnel you go through when riding that. There were several people standing there handing out things. I assumed it was water again or bananas. We had had those a few times. No, it was little candy bars. I was so excited. I love those things when I'm not running but when I'm tired, hungry, in need of energy....they were a huge blessing. I grabbed like a crazy fool. I know I made some drop and I felt bad, but not that bad. I got 3, ate 2. They tasted so good. I saved one for after the race. Even better. Who knew these little things would make a top 10 list?

#8 - Running Around World Showcase/Chariots of Fire. It was almost over. I saw the mile 25 sign. I had one mile and some change left. The song started playing. Perfect running song to end with. I usually skip over that song if it plays on my training runs but it was too perfect for the end of this journey. The scenery running around that giant Epcot loop was beautiful. It was just a perfect end to a perfect race.

#7 - 3 Medals!! - I could also add 3 t-shirt. It's nice enough to just get one medal for running a race. I know it's just a piece of medal. I know I actually paid for it with my entry fee. But it's just a nice feeling to have a medal placed around your neck. It's a nice tribute and reminder of all you've accomplished. And to have it done 3 times in 2 days was wonderful. The medals look great. They're heavy. They're perfect and I appreciated the fact that I got 3 for this adventure.

#6 - Meeting Friends - I've rarely had the opportunity to meet up with running friends I've never met. I do nearly all my training runs alone, but then I have this group of friends through "dailymile", "twitter" or "facebook" that share in my runs each time. It was really good to meet a few of them that I knew and a few that I didn't know. It's nice to talk with others that share your interests and love of running. I enjoyed this each morning.

#5 - Running through the castle - I had heard several times before that this was a great part of the race. It's short. It's 10 seconds max. But it's wonderful. Dare I say it....magical? You come out of the castle to cameras flashing, a huge crowd cheering, and music blaring. It's just a really special part of both races - the half and full. I loved it both days and any pains that I had at that point were "magically" gone as I ran through that place.

#4 - Running down Main Street during the half - It was great during the full too, but there was song the whole weekend because we started that race outside of Epcot. Main Street was jammed with people. It was so loud. The castle was directly in front of me. It was....I'm sorry....magical (again.) I love going down Main Street anytime, but especially during this race.

#3 - The Beginning of both races - Wow! That's the best word I can think of. The fireworks, the fire shooting up in the air, the music, the characters on stage. It's just the best way to start a race I could ever think of. And I got to see it twice. Up close. The guy behind me actually had to give me a push to start on the 2nd day because I was just standing there watching and not paying attention to the fact that the race had started. I just wanted the start to go on forever.

#2 - Linking up to Iraq - This was at the beginning of the half-marathon and it was very moving. At least it was to me and I think it was to a lot of people. A group of soldiers in Iraq ran a simultaneous half-marathon to ours. And they also interviewed a soldier whose wife and daughter were at Disney. That was the most touching part. I just thought that was a great idea and just another thing that made these races so special.

#1 - Hello? The Finish Lines!!! - Any marathon (or half-marathon) runner will tell you that a finish line is the most beautiful sight in the world. It feels amazing to cross one. I got to cross two amazing finish lines in two days during two outstanding races. The crowd at the line was so big. The biggest I've ever run through. All the characters were there. It was just an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, excitement, and happiness to cross that line on both days.

So there you go - my top 10. I could list ten more but I won't. I plan to work on a little marathon recap video this weekend so that should be my next post. Until then....

Keep runnin',
Albert

Goofy Pics

2011-01-13T14:49:00.000-06:00

2:49PM

Here are some pictures Disney took of me along the course of both races. Enjoy!!

HALF-MARATHON PICS:

Running the 1/2 marathon. Not my best pose. Not sure where I was at this point.

Running by the carousel before I went through the castle.

Running by the castle in the half. I don't look too happy. I should've waved like the other guy.

That's better.

Now I look a little happier. That's because I'm at Epcot which meant the finish was near.

Very happy crossing the finish line. And filming. I hope to make a video soon and I'll post it.

Crossing the finish.

Finished!! Got my Donald half-marathon medal.

Posing with daisy after the half was over.

MARATHON PICS

Start of the race. I'm in there somewhere. The start was great!

My first character stop. Buzz. I had no idea we were both doing thumbs up until I saw this.

Picture with Cinderella and company right before I went through the castle.

Coming out of the castle (again).

Stopped to get a picture in front of the castle. Wish it'd been a little brighter. Thought it was.

Saw Woody and Jesse as I was about to leave Magic Kingdom

Picture with Mickey around Animal Kingdom. I was very glad I found Mickey. Wouldn't have been the same if I didn't get his picture.

Running around World Showcase on my way to the finish.

Approaching the finish

Filming the crowd as I approach the finish line. The crowd was HUGE!

Crossing the marathon finish line.

There are a few pictures missing mainly from during and after the marathon but you got a good majority of them here. I've got one more post about the marathon coming maybe this weekend.