For the past 47 days, ever since Easter I have challenged myself to run every day. The parameters were that I must at least stay on the treadmill for 30 min and I must reach a minimum distance of 3 miles. At first I ran at a steady pace, accomplishing the three miles by a low intense jog/run. After about ten days of this routine I decided to start HIIT training (click here for a definition). This is a great cardio method and it is the method I prefer. Mainly because I really dislike running. I dread following my lifting with running. This may seem strange, but it made my challenge that much more of a .......well......challenge.
Some wonder why I picked 47 days. The answer is very simple. 47 is the number of days from the day after Easter to my birthday. I wanted a goal I could accomplish but that would still push me. Nothing special will happen on my birthday, I just knew it was a day that I would likely not run.
At first many friends expressed concern about the strain I was putting on my body. In reality, they were right and I knew it. I have worked out for years and I understand recovery, rest, and injuries that can occur because of over training. What makes this worst is my left knee has been damaged since May of 2009 and gets stiff and very sore often (I'll get it looked at one day....I know....I know....). All this is just to say I knew the odds were stacked against me and I was not following my normal protocol for exercising. So why did I do this?
For those who know me well you know I am big on spiritual formation. This is basically spiritual disciplines, the things that you do regularly to keep a close relationship with God. I contend that this requires self discipline, a willingness to learn about God and grow close to Him, and denying self. The same can be said when we take care of our bodies. The unique aspect about human kind is that God has created us with a spirit. The animals were created with a soul and a body, but we have been given a spirit as well as a soul and a body. Before we can properly answer the question of how to worship God, we must first understand who we are --You are a spirit, who has a soul, and you live in a body. Look at 1 Thess. 5:23 - Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I feel in the church we overlook gluttony as a sin. Now I am not talking about weight, shape, size and so on, but just the issue itself. When I am in the Spirit, doing my devotions, praying, and reading God's Word, my life is not perfect, but I have a joy and a peace and a closeness that no one can take away. When I am taking care of my body, eating right, exercising, and maintaining self control, my body, brain, and energy levels feel good even though my body may not be the perfect photoshop bodies you see in magazines. You see, we are to worship God with our bodies. In Romans 12:1,2 it says - Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Now there are many interpretations you can take from this, but when I am presenting my body as a living sacrifice (by denying the good taste of an In and Out burger, unhealthy snacks, and laziness by not exercising) I feel closer to God.
Please do not misunderstand my point. Do I eat fast food and unhealthy snacks sometimes? Of course I do, but I will say that because I am in a routine and have done the healthy thing for so long, it is easier to resist these things. The same way with sin. We still sin, but when we are close to God it is easier to resist temptation and do the right thing. This is my personal feelings on health and spirituality and how I feel they relate. I am encouraged when people encourage me. I am encouraged when I see others get excited and begin their own healthy routines. So going back to the original point of why did I do this when I knew it is not a conventional way to exercise (no rest between days)? It is the same as when Jesus was tempted in the desert after fasting for 40 days. We can all say that we should not fast for 40 days (and besides we're not Jesus), but I can say that while human wisdom says Satan tempted Him at His weakest point, I say that Satan tempted Him at His strongest. His body was weak but his spirit was so strong. After sacrificing his body and denying His hunger, He was spiritually ready for anything. So for me, after running and wearing out my legs for 47 days straight, I feel strong and close to God (as a result of my running being my living sacrifice presented to God).
Lastly...whats my next challenge? I think that will be a secret.......
Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tribute to Sierra Pines
It was the summer of 2001 and I was a naive, wet behind the ears, eager volunteer youth counselor for the High School summer camp at Sierra Pines. I have never been to this camp before and I have never been a camp counselor. I did have about seven months of experience as a volunteer youth worker, so the students I was counseling were not knew to me. Who knew that my experience there would be the start of a lifelong change in my outlook in life, as well as my occupation and call. It was at that camp on Friday night (around the campfire) that God called me to go into the ministry. It is an amazing thing when God calls you to something, because you really only have two choices, run from the call or accept it. The journey to Sierra Pines was all in Gods plan years ago, and it begins at Taco Bell.
Yes, I said Taco Bell, my first job that I ever had at the age of 15. It was here that I stayed for ten years and eventually became a multi unit manager. It was also here where I was suppose to interviewed a sixteen year old kid, but sent him away because I was busy and the interview was scheduled by another manager. When this kid returned I told one of the assistant managers to interview him, mainly because I really felt we had enough teens working for us and I wanted more 18+ adults. At the conclusion of the interview I was given a synopsis of how it went, then asked it was up to me to decide (note: at this time I was not even an assistant manager, yet alone a mulit unit manager, just a shift supervisor). I remember very clearly wanting to say no and forming that word on my lips, but for some reason I said "yes". This person was Sean Krack who years later invited me to volunteer in Napa as a youth leader, but at this time when he was sixteen he would ask to have weekends off in the winter for a "snow camp" and summer time off for a "summer camp". These camps were of course at Sierra Pines. Its amazing that for the past several years we were the program staff for these camps. God was working his plan early in my life before I knew what was going on.
The past decade saw me progress from a volunteer counselor to a member of the board of directors and director of program camps. It is through the camp that I have met so many wonderful friends, families, and youth that have grown into adults who I continue to communicate with. Some have returned to volunteer for camps by doing media, counseling, or assisting in anyway they can. These connections have also provided me with two ministry opportunities when my time in Napa came to an end. God has provided and blessed me more than I can ever imagine, and He used Sierra Pines to do it. This shows what Sierra Pines means to God an that it is a place He uses to do His work.
So with that I move into another transition in my life. (Ten years seems to be a number God uses for me). We just had a small but wonderful Senior High Snow Camp Feb 12-15 (click here for video), and on Tuesday February 16th I resigned from the board and program camps. It has been an awesome journey and was one of the hardest decisions that I had to make. So now I look into a new decade, a new future, and new direction from God. I will always be a part of Sierra Pines and my resignation does not in any way convey that I will not return. It is just the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Rodney Owens. Author: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Yes, I said Taco Bell, my first job that I ever had at the age of 15. It was here that I stayed for ten years and eventually became a multi unit manager. It was also here where I was suppose to interviewed a sixteen year old kid, but sent him away because I was busy and the interview was scheduled by another manager. When this kid returned I told one of the assistant managers to interview him, mainly because I really felt we had enough teens working for us and I wanted more 18+ adults. At the conclusion of the interview I was given a synopsis of how it went, then asked it was up to me to decide (note: at this time I was not even an assistant manager, yet alone a mulit unit manager, just a shift supervisor). I remember very clearly wanting to say no and forming that word on my lips, but for some reason I said "yes". This person was Sean Krack who years later invited me to volunteer in Napa as a youth leader, but at this time when he was sixteen he would ask to have weekends off in the winter for a "snow camp" and summer time off for a "summer camp". These camps were of course at Sierra Pines. Its amazing that for the past several years we were the program staff for these camps. God was working his plan early in my life before I knew what was going on.
The past decade saw me progress from a volunteer counselor to a member of the board of directors and director of program camps. It is through the camp that I have met so many wonderful friends, families, and youth that have grown into adults who I continue to communicate with. Some have returned to volunteer for camps by doing media, counseling, or assisting in anyway they can. These connections have also provided me with two ministry opportunities when my time in Napa came to an end. God has provided and blessed me more than I can ever imagine, and He used Sierra Pines to do it. This shows what Sierra Pines means to God an that it is a place He uses to do His work.
So with that I move into another transition in my life. (Ten years seems to be a number God uses for me). We just had a small but wonderful Senior High Snow Camp Feb 12-15 (click here for video), and on Tuesday February 16th I resigned from the board and program camps. It has been an awesome journey and was one of the hardest decisions that I had to make. So now I look into a new decade, a new future, and new direction from God. I will always be a part of Sierra Pines and my resignation does not in any way convey that I will not return. It is just the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Rodney Owens. Author: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
What's New for 2010
The holidays are over, the lights and decorations are packed away, family gatherings are a thing of the past, and the New Years resolutions have began (and some may have ended already). For me 2010 brings on new stages in life and new challenges. Many of you have asked what's going on in my life, (especially dealing with ministry) so here is a brief update.
First I wanted to say my time at CrossWalk Community Church in Napa has been awesome. A decade of my life has been spent there with the last 7 years on staff. My son has grown up at CrossWalk Church in height, weight, and size, and I have grown up there spiritually. My time there will be cherished, and I will always be thankful that I had the opportunity to serve there.
In July the economy caught up to CrossWalk and my position was eliminated. God had guided me before this happened so it was not a total surprise. The search naturally began with two places that had openings and opportunities to continue my ministry. One of those I considered was a position as a youth pastor with Santa Clara First Baptist Church. I have a heart for the people in Santa Clara as I have met so many of them throughout the years. Although my decision was not to join the team there I will continue my friendship and send my love to all of you there. I always pray for those at SCFBC and I look forward to the day God sends someone your way to fill a much needed postion.
God did guide me to Valley Church in Vacaville as the "Next Generations Minister" which basically means I minister to children and their families. Approximately two years ago God arranged many circumstances to happen in order for me to meet Jeremy White and others from Valley. This meeting happened so that I would eventually join the team at Valley and begin the new decade with new friends, new challenges, and a new stage in ministry. I am excited about this and I look forward to serving at Valley for years to come.
First I wanted to say my time at CrossWalk Community Church in Napa has been awesome. A decade of my life has been spent there with the last 7 years on staff. My son has grown up at CrossWalk Church in height, weight, and size, and I have grown up there spiritually. My time there will be cherished, and I will always be thankful that I had the opportunity to serve there.
In July the economy caught up to CrossWalk and my position was eliminated. God had guided me before this happened so it was not a total surprise. The search naturally began with two places that had openings and opportunities to continue my ministry. One of those I considered was a position as a youth pastor with Santa Clara First Baptist Church. I have a heart for the people in Santa Clara as I have met so many of them throughout the years. Although my decision was not to join the team there I will continue my friendship and send my love to all of you there. I always pray for those at SCFBC and I look forward to the day God sends someone your way to fill a much needed postion.
God did guide me to Valley Church in Vacaville as the "Next Generations Minister" which basically means I minister to children and their families. Approximately two years ago God arranged many circumstances to happen in order for me to meet Jeremy White and others from Valley. This meeting happened so that I would eventually join the team at Valley and begin the new decade with new friends, new challenges, and a new stage in ministry. I am excited about this and I look forward to serving at Valley for years to come.
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