Check out the rest of my pics from the FEBC Men's Retreat at: http://ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=jxo6f71.255w4nxl&x=1&y=odf4ve
photo by Warren Thiessen Copyright 2004

HOT DIGGIDY IT'S FRIDAY!!

Can I get a "YEE HAW!"? Thanks. Ummm...this post is over 'cause I've got to get to work...breakfast meeting in ten minutes...cya!

This was about as clear as the sky got the whole weekend. Nothing but clouds. Oh well. I wish I had a lake in my backyard.
photo by Warren Thiessen Copyright 2004

Weak At The Knees

Hey everybody! How's it going? As some of you may know, I love to run and bike. Recently I wrecked my knee to the point that I can't run or bike. Last time this happened it took 6 months 'til I could run again (it's called Illio-Tibial Band Sydrome). Anywhoos, I was in the middle of training for 8 Hours of Howardville ( a realy fun mountain bike endurance race), and now I can't bike to work without limping for hours afterward. All this thinking of competition brought me back to one of my favorite passages in 1st Corinthians, 9:24-27:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Evyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do no run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
When I'm out on a long run and I get that 'runner's high' or I'm biking through some trails in God's beautiful creation, I feel about as good as it gets. Competition gets me the same way...it's wired inside me and there's no escaping it. I'm way too competitive. I know it can be a good thing, but some times I think God is trying to tell me that there are more important things. This last weekend I spent a lot of time reading the Bible, and just listening to God speak, and I felt that same rush as I do when it feels like I could run forever. It was like the deepest peace from knowing that there is an Awesome, loving God out there. And that fact that he cares about me was just mind-boggling. I guess these verses in 1st Corinthians just encourage me to give to God what I do to sport...to live for the eternal things, and he will give me a peace and joy far greater than anything I can get out of running or biking. Talk to you later, Warren

My Long Weekend Rocked!

Hey everybody! How was your long weekend? Wow, mine was pretty awesome! I've got a ton of stories and stuff to put on here, but I just got back from worship team practice, and now we're gonna watch Hidalgo. So check back later tonight, or tomorrow, and I'll try to get a post up, as well as a link to all the pictures I took this weekend! Hey, I chased a bear! Later, Warren