NowTHINK!AboutIt

Grading The 94.7 Cycle Challenge – 2014

November 17, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

1,496 Meters
Of Climbing

The 2014 rendition of the 94.7 Cycle Challenge was all about change.

Some of the changes were great and some not so much.

The biggest change was the location of the start and finish. It was moved off the normal route, which means the route had to change also. Only about 20 kilometers were affected but it created some anxiety for both old and new riders.

The location change was inevitable. The previous start/finish line was too constricted to handle the increasing number of participants. The congestion was maddening and dangerous.

The route change was also necessary but race organizers made a few choices we hope they’ll reconsider next year.

This was my third 94.7. I know what it was like last year and how it felt this year. My trustee Garmin even provided some helpful data to share.

Here’s how I graded the race. [Read more…] about Grading The 94.7 Cycle Challenge – 2014

3 Things That Influence Christian Behavior

November 11, 2014 by EnnisP 5 Comments

You Can Counter
Bad Qualities
With Good Ones
You Can’t Eradicate Them

Have you ever wondered why people act out?

I’m talking about the good people, the ones who usually appear quite decent, no foul language or anti-social behavior.

Why do these people get caught in lies or found stealing, or worse, unexpectedly?

Sounds horrible, I know, and we don’t like talking about it but it does happen.

But the real question is this. Have you ever wondered why Christians sometimes act badly, worse even than many non-Christians?

We consider that an anomaly.

Christians are the ones who adamantly oppose wrong and hassle those who practice or promote it. They also claim to be the best and there is good reason to believe they should be.

So when a Christian does something out of character with the image they project, we get caught off balance. Makes you scratch your head and wonder what went wrong.

It can also make Christians feel a little insecure.

If it happened to them, can it happen to me?

It’s a different story for non-believers. In fact, the stubbornly non-believing are almost gleeful when Christians color outside the lines. It’s all nonsense anyway so a misstep is all the proof they need to cry hypocrisy.

Less damning unbelievers entertain the same thoughts but are a bit more gracious. They don’t assume hypocrisy or make a lot of noise.

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Hypocrisy, of course, can be an issue. We can’t just ignore it but is that the only reason Christians act badly?

Are there other factors to consider? [Read more…] about 3 Things That Influence Christian Behavior

6 Proofs Your “Old Nature” Won’t Get Worse

October 31, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

If We Could Change
Our Nature
By Acting Differently
Why Would We Need Jesus

If I were to say the old nature couldn’t change many people might agree.

By “Old Nature” I mean the sinful nature, the flawed one we’re all born with.

But, if I were to say the old nature couldn’t get worse, which is what this post will try and prove, many might balk.

On the face of it, that statement isn’t easy to accept.

We know people can deteriorate morally. They can do terrible things on one day and then commit worse crimes later. It’s a process of change and it’s for the worse.

We’ve all seen it happen. One step downward creates a spiraling momentum that’s hard to stop. Inertia, once moving, doesn’t halt easily.

But there are reasons to believe this change doesn’t effect a person’s nature. [Read more…] about 6 Proofs Your “Old Nature” Won’t Get Worse

4 Friendship Lessons From The Bible

October 23, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Friendships Are Deepened
Through Trouble

Friend is a happy word. It makes us feel safe. It evokes a sense of support, love, security, connection and more.

If you have a good friend you’re better for it. It’s a comfortable place to be, or so the thinking goes, and the Bible makes statements that support these flowery ideas:

A friend loves through all kinds of weather – Proverbs 17:17 (MSG).
This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends – John 15:13 (MSG).
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor – Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV).
Better is a neighbor (friend) that is near than a brother far off – Proverbs 27:10 (KJV).
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul – Proverbs 27:9 (MSG).

But these verses represent the ideal. They describe friendship at its best. Can we really expect that? Is any friendship 100% no fault? Or does reality provide a different perspective?

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To balance things out the Bible also warns us that friendship can sometimes be a cover-up for questionable motives. [Read more…] about 4 Friendship Lessons From The Bible

6 Barriers Good Friends Cross For Us

October 20, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Unequal Friendship
Includes Charity
But Is Much Much More

There are two types of healthy friendships: Equal and unequal. Equal we understand and easily accept. It’s what we expect.

Unequal we don’t get so much. We consider it unacceptable when one person does most of the giving and the other does most of the taking.

That’s how we usually see it but is that always true? Can a friendship be good when equality is distorted? I think it can. In fact, the greatest friendships are unequal. Let me explain.

Equal Friends

Equal friends are peers. Their lives run in parallel. They aren’t exactly the same but they have equal levels of development. Generally:

They share similar levels of health, education and opportunities for employment. Neither is handicapped or maybe both are handicapped but they are equal.
They speak the same language and maintain the same standard of living.
They share common opportunities for recreation, lifestyle habits and so on.
They may not make the same choices but they share common options.
They may not have the same job position but they work in the same strata of society.

It isn’t uncommon for people on an equal footing to meet and become connected at the friendship level. It isn’t forced. Neither is uncomfortable with the other. There is no condescension either way.

They are able to give as much as they receive.

But there is a second angle on friendship that tells a different story.

Unequal Friends

This kind of friendship is marked by either division or disparity, or sometimes both. If it’s division, the friends represent differing sides. If it’s disparity, the friends are on different social levels, more vertical than horizontal. One looking down, the other looking up.

Unequal friendships require a great effort, at least on the part of one, for the connection to be made. One side is sacrificing the other benefits.

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This doesn’t seem fair and according to Jesus it isn’t, but it is not what you think. The giver, He said, is much more blessed than the receiver.

When beliefs are involved compromise is assumed but, again, not so. Giving a person what they need on a personal level doesn’t require alignment of beliefs. You’ll see just now. [Read more…] about 6 Barriers Good Friends Cross For Us