“We Follow Orders or People Die!”

(Man, would I like to include a picture of a certain celebrity starring in a certain movie right about now…  check out the tweet I guess.)

Keep your panty hose on and lawyers at bay.  Nobody died or got hurt … except perhaps YHC’s ego.  While YHC thought an out and back on a new @F3stride route was an awesome idea, at the turn around point, a certain, shall we say, firefighting risk-taking pax, decided to take matters into his own hands and make the run a loop instead of an out and back.  This same pax joined his two StrideXL buddies and left early prior to the COT.  Thanks… and due to the extended loop run, YHC didn’t have time for his well thought-out Devo.  Thanks again.  You’ll just have to read about it below. (I’m not bitter… really I’m not! See my well put-on fake smile! See it!  Yeah, baby!)  Don’t worry.. you’re still my bros!

Conditions: Getting warmer and muggier!

Thang:

Head north on N. Lake Dr to the Gold’s Gym.  Turn left, wave at the ferns, and press on.  Stay straight past Northwood onto the dirt road that curves around to Cherokee Trail.  Turn left and head out 20 minutes and back 20 minutes.  What? Peachy? did you say it’s time to turn around? Nope… pax turned this into a loop and we all got better for it.  Continue on Cherokee Trail and turn left onto Old Cherokee Road (a busier, no sidewalk and sometimes no shoulder type road… you know, the kind runners get splattered on.  (BTW, do y’all have your RoadIDs?))  Continue on and turn left onto Maxie road.  Merge onto Old Chapin Road.  Climb the hill, put your frogger hat on and cross US 1. Head back to the courthouse via Main Street… 5.2 miles in all.

Moleskin:

Despite the coup and Q takeover of the route, all runners did well.  TCLAPS once again to the StrideXL crew.  TCLAPS also to Tail pipe for his first Stride post! You’re welcome back any time.  YHC would love to hear how you plan to mod your new Mustang!

DEVO:

Months back YHC led a Stride DEVO highlighting Galatians 5:22-23. You know the one… Fruit of the Spirit.  One of those fruits is called Gentleness.  I’ve been particularly convicted lately because I have not been gentle with my kids or my wife.  Too often they are NOT doing what I want them to do… Does it matter? Are they going to die if they don’t do it? Are they blatantly disobeying? If not, I can say to myself just to let it go and enjoy them.  But, NO, I allow my flesh and selfish desires to take control and bark orders or get irritable, and exasperate them to anger.  NOBODY WINS!  What a witness to the love and grace of God through Jesus I’ve just displayed through my selfishness.  Damaged relationships is the result.  We’ve all been there…

What can I do instead, you ask?  Well, this past year or so has taught me a great deal about myself.  I hold onto a lot of anger that I have not surrendered.  Worse yet, I have not accepted the grace and love that God has for me… free gifts that result in FREEDOM!  Freedom from sin. Freedom from pain.  Freedom from myself.  Surrender it to God. Allow him into that room in your heart that you’ve dead-bolted, duct-taped, and sealed behind a 3ft lead wall.  Only HE can heal that pain. Only you and He know the root of the problem. Fatigue or a bad day at work only scratches the surface. Do business with him through prayer.  He’ll show you the truth.  In the heat of the moment, recognize the need, go outside and run around the block a couple times or do some other activity to use that negative energy more productively. You know your body and tendencies.

Another parting thought from God’s word:  Philippians 4:5 says “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

Announcements… No time to cover them in COT..here’s a rundown:

• 1) Look for F3Lexington email to vote on final shirt logo.
• 2) P200 alternates may be needed.  Raise your hand if interested.
• 3)  BRR HCs needed.