Henry's Blog

Running Thoughts, October 5,2011My heart is heavy this morning. Louise, my faithful dog companion of 17 years died last night. Even though she was a dog, a Bichon to be specific ,she taught me much about love and loyalty.We got her or rather she got us during a transitional time in our lives as we had moved from a place we called home to a place of strangers in Michigan. Yet, through her faithful love and hospitality, she was an inspiration to keep on. She greeted us with her smile when we came home and when we left patiently waited for our return . If we would be gone for an extended time, she declared a food fast and steadfastly guarded my briefcase till I returned.She was a lover of people. Small or large, stranger or friend, she greeted all with the greatest admiration. She loved to travel. Her nose would take her places where she shouldn't go and at one point she became lost and we had given up hope only to have her rescued and brought back home. She also spent many days on the road with her head out the window taking in new aromas. She also develped an affinity for fishing and served both as a net and a fish cleaner for me.One of her highlights was her daily walk. She had a consecutive streak of years too and some of the walks turned into 4 miles with her little legs trying to keep going. Even a week before her death, she begged me to take her to the park although by this time she could only walk a few steps and I would have to carry her the rest of the way. But she wanted to do it one more time. We miss her terribly. I know she was a dog but to us she was family who lived out the mantra 'the way you invest your love is the way you invest your life!' So long, Louise...you lived well and brought much joy to many lives especially ours.Shalom,Henry

2010 is history! Looking back at the year, I was able to accomplish various personal goals. I was able to read through the Bible and spend quality time each day with my Lord as well as cultivate the discipline of paying attention to His voice throughout the day. I was able to grow through conferences such as Radicalis and The Leadership Summit. I was able to continue the quest to learn more about leadership through reading. Leaders are readers and I was able to read 75 books. I was able to keep running posting 2048 miles in 2010-a PR. I failed in my goal of weekly fasting as well as keeping sabbath.As I look to 2011, I resolve to break the century mark in books, 2011 miles running, and practice a regular sabbath as well as a weekly fast. Keep me accountable!I have other prayers for the church. I pray that the church will grow in the following areas:1. Servanthood would organically emerge and a longing to seek justice in everyday activities would color the lives of members.2. There would be an explosive expansion in new believers ministry as current members seek to develop relationships with those that the Lord puts in their lives.3. The church would practice unity as it grows increasingly diverse. Controversies over little things would dissipate and people would focus on the big picture- the light of the world and the church's role in being that light even though it may mean sacrifice.4.The community would increasingly ask for help and assistance from the local church.5. An increasing percentage of the membership would be faithful and fervent in being part of corporate worship.6. Ministry teams would understand their role and would carry out their calling in efficient and effective ways.7. Members would experience the growing transformation brought on by the Holy Spirit doing the complete makeover of lives and maintenance would not be tolerated.8. Giving would be generous and sacrificial and prompted by God's grace and the desire to be obedient.9. There would be increasing conversations with non or pre-Christians engaging them with the love of Christ.10. New ministry would break out in the streets and particularly among the next generation.11. Members would be continue to grow into well equipped ministers.12. Members would be filled with a magnetic joy that would be contagious in their homes, communities, and work.Just a few of my prayer requests for the church and my roles as a leader.Shalom in 2011Pastor Henry

Sixteen years later, still running! After all these years, each day I get up, sit with My LORD, and then go for a run. It is closing on 6000 consecutive days running. I confess that the streak drives me more than I drive the streak. Why do it? Sixteen years ago I was involved in a transition moving from California to Michigan to pursue the honor of a degree. There are many times when I wonder about this pursuit as my soul has never fully healed.  But I try to continue in the ministry of being a wounded healer.Back to the streak! I had been running since college days and enjoyed 4 days a week out on the road. When we moved to California, it became a necessity as we had only one vehicle so I ran home from school-5 miles as the crow flies which led me through pomegranate and walnut groves. I gradually increased the miles to 1000 miles per year but realized that this was just a foothill. So I started marathoning eventually garnering a PR of 2:59 in Sacramento in 1991 which led to running Boston in 1992. But this again was just a foothill to the streak.We moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1994 and after an arduous trip, I was grumpy. On Tuesday, June 8, I recall my prayer- Lord, I don't like where I am. I know that you are the great I AM and i am not so here's the deal- you give me the strength to get me through this and I'll run every day till you stop me. Although the seminary experience was a desert, the running kept my sanity and revived my soul. The Michigan countryside was an oasis coming from Visalia's flatness. I could run trails for 50 miles and the start was at my back door. It was not hard to find 7 different 5 mile loops past a lake or stream or through a forest, or down quaint streets. The Fall was resplendent with its colors and smells. Even the winters were not so bad. Keep your head, hands, and feet warm and be careful on the ice and you're all set. Spring was more difficult because of its flirting nature which would disappoint. Yet it was during this season that the drive to run peaked as annually the Kent River Bank Run was held in May to kindle the spirits of those despairing of winter. I was able to run it 9 times with a PR of 1:45 over the 15.5 mile run. There were other enjoyable runs including a lung burner and calf screamer in Saugatuck over 9 miles and much of it on sand dunes but I even medaled a couple times. We eventually moved to Zeeland just 20 minutes away and I found a couple great runs. One run brought me through a nature reserve which gave me treats of seeing deer, fox, and plenty of birds. I enjoyed the Sabbath run which was around 4 lakes and included much wildlife. I also enjoyed a drive out to the dunes or to the Holland Beach and run the trail along the lake to Grand Haven. I had different names for the runs-The Lament Loop, The Anger Management Run, The Meditation Trail, The Wild Goose Chase, Creations Cruise, The screaming Six, The Rooster run which was a 15 miler through woods running trails.There were challenges like the weather or traveling. I can recall some 2:30 AM 'get er' done runs in order to catch a plane. Sickness brought its unique challenges as well as  some injuries. One January morning I slipped and tore my meniscus which led to a specialist who recommended surgery but I pleaded 'let me run it off'. While riding a motorcycle, I was run over and again the doctor advised me to rest but I pleaded,' running is the best therapy'. So after a 12 mile run, there was no pain. There were plenty of sprains, strains, dislocated toes, a tweaked back but it has not stopped the streak. Post marathon days are a joke as I stagger my 3 miles.Since moving west, the running is rather boring. However, I have been able to do a yearly Mammoth trip which has always been a running junkie's paradise. Other memorable runs occurred on beautiful trails in Vermont and Oregon, as well as running the trails of Southern Utah or the Colorado mountains.Thanks To Grace for giving me permission and washing the clothes. Thanks be to God for this daily adventure running with Him.Some streak trivia: 27 thousand miles, 24 pairs of shoes, 15 marathons (plus a dozen half-marathons). I'm getting tired!Running Thoughts,Pastor Henry